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LD 397

An Act To Require A Voter To Show Photographic Identification

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donald Ardell and 7 co-sponsors

Would require voters to show a photographic ID at the polls and authorize a state ID verification system, funded by the Highway Fund, with start-up and ongoing costs.

Pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 397

Summary of LD 397 — An Act To Require A Voter To Show Photographic Identification

Overview

LD 397 would require a voter to present photographic identification at the polls. The bill was introduced on February 4, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. The bill progressed through committee steps but was ultimately placed in Legislative Files as (DEAD) pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3 on May 14, 2025.

What the bill would do

  • Mandate that a voter show a photographic form of identification when voting.
  • Impose new implementation requirements on the Secretary of State (in coordination with the administration of elections) to establish and manage the ID verification process.

Key provisions and changes

  • The Secretary of State would need to implement a system to verify photographic identification for voters.
  • The bill envisions additional identification cards and related administrative activities required to support the ID verification process.
  • The funding for these activities would come from the Highway Fund rather than the General Fund.

Fiscal impact (from the Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement)

  • Funding source: Highway Fund
  • One-time and ongoing costs identified:
    • FY 2025-26: $976,824 for one-time programming costs, production of additional identification cards, and other related costs.
    • FY 2026-27: $288,114 (ongoing costs).
    • FY 2027-28: $288,114 (ongoing costs).
    • FY 2028-29: $288,114 (ongoing costs).
  • The fiscal note indicates these costs are appropriations/allocations from the Highway Fund to support implementation.

Who and what would be affected

  • Voters: would be required to present a photographic ID when voting.
  • Secretary of State and election administration: responsible for implementing the ID requirement, including programming changes and production of IDs.
  • Potentially election officials at polling places who would verify IDs.

Timeline and procedural history

  • 2025-02-04: Referred to the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs; concurrent referral actions occurred.
  • 2025-03-21: Carried over to the next special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature (pursuant to Joint Order SP 519).
  • 2025-05-07: Work session held; bill debated by committee.
  • 2025-05-07: Voted ONTP (Ought Not To Pass) by the committee.
  • 2025-05-12: Reported Out - ONTP.
  • 2025-05-14: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) pursuant to Joint Rule 310.3, effectively ending its legislative journey for the session.

Status

  • DEAD (no current path forward in the 132nd Legislature) as of May 14, 2025.
  • The fiscal note reflects one-time start-up costs and ongoing annual costs to maintain the program, funded through the Highway Fund.

Notes

  • The bill focuses on election procedure changes related to ID requirements and the associated administrative and financial implications for implementing such a requirement.
  • As a dead bill, it would require reintroduction and new legislative action to become law in a future session.

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

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