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H 3794

An Act ensuring access to state IDs for low-income people

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Vanna Howard and 1 co-sponsor

Waives driver's license and state ID fees for Massachusetts residents at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines, boosting access to work, voting, and services.

Hearing scheduled for 11/04/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 3794

Summary of H.3794: An Act ensuring access to state IDs for low-income people

Purpose and intent

H.3794 aims to reduce financial barriers to obtaining state identification by waiving application fees for eligible individuals. Specifically, it would prohibit charges for applying for a driver’s license and for a state identification card for people at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The bill targets both drivers and non-drivers who rely on state IDs to access services, vote, work, and participate fully in daily life.

Key provisions

  • Amendments to Chapter 90, Section 8 (driver’s licenses)
    • After the phrase “age of 70,” insert: “No fees associated with an application for a license shall be charged for a person at or below 300 per cent of the federal poverty guidelines.”
  • Amendments to Chapter 90, Section 8E (identification cards)
    • After the phrase “age of 70,” insert: “No fees associated with an identification card shall be charged for a person at or below 300 per cent of the federal poverty guidelines.”

In short, the bill creates a blanket fee waiver for qualifying individuals seeking either a driver’s license or a state ID card, based on income relative to the federal poverty guidelines.

Affected persons and entities

  • Primary beneficiaries: Residents of Massachusetts who are at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines and who are applying for a driver’s license or a state ID card.
  • Affected government functions: The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) and related administrative processes for issuing licenses and identification cards.
  • Non-drivers: The bill explicitly addresses fees for non-driver identification cards, aligning with its broader goal of ensuring access to state IDs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Referred to: Transportation Committee (Feb. 27, 2025)
  • Legislative actions: Senate concurred on Feb. 27, 2025
  • Current status: Hearing scheduled for November 4, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in hearing room A-2
  • Additional note: The hearing date is listed as 11/04/2025, with the bill filed as House Docket No. 2019 and designated No. 3794 in the House.

Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsors: Representatives Steven Ultrino (Malden) and Vanna Howard (Lowell)
  • Cosponsors: Additional representatives are listed as cosponsors
  • Related bill/replace: HD 2019 (the content here is the original House petition underlying the bill)

Potential impact

  • Accessibility: Lower-income individuals would have easier access to essential identification documents, supporting activities such as employment, housing, voting, and access to government services.
  • Revenue and administration: The RMV would forego certain fee revenues for eligible applicants, which could have fiscal implications; the bill does not specify alternative funding or offset mechanisms.

This bill reflects a targeted approach to remove a concrete financial barrier to obtaining state IDs for low-income residents.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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