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Bill

S 872

Immigration Status on Driver's License

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Wes Climer and 3 co-sponsors

The bill requires non-citizens to have an NC designation on SC licenses/IDs and prohibits NC-marked licenses/IDs from being used for voting.

Roll call Ayes-44 Nays-0
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 872

Summary of Bill S.872 (2025-2026) — Immigration Status on Driver's License (South Carolina)

Purpose and Intent

Bill S.872 proposes to modify South Carolina’s driver’s license and ID card framework to require verification of citizenship or legal status for license/ID issuance and to designate non-citizens with an “NC” marker. It also aims to prevent “NC”-designated licenses/IDs from being used for voting. The overarching aim is to align credentialing with immigration status and to restrict use of certain credentials in a voting context.

Key Provisions

1) Driver's Licenses (Section 56-1-80)

  • Applicants must present proof of United States citizenship.
  • If the applicant cannot prove citizenship, they must provide proof of legal status in the United States.
  • If the applicant is legally in the U.S. but not a citizen, the license issued must:
    • Contain the identifying code “NC” on the license.
    • Include “NC” in the applicant’s record.

2) Special Identification Cards (Section 56-1-3350)

  • Requirements for issuing South Carolina special identification cards for residents five years old and older remain, with added citizenship/status provisions:
    • Applicants must provide proof of United States citizenship, or if not a citizen, proof of legal status.
    • If legally in the U.S. but not a citizen, the ID card must include the identifying code “NC” and reflect this in the record.
  • Additional optional designations exist for:
    • Autism: Applicants may obtain a special ID card indicating autism, with the department ensuring appropriate documentation and a specific symbol on the card.
    • Permanent medical conditions: Applicants may disclose permanent medical conditions; limits include no more than three such conditions on the record unless autism applies. Conditions can be shared only with specified entities (law enforcement, EMS/hospital personnel, medical advisory board, entities allowed under the Driver Privacy Protection Act, and the person affected).

3) Voting Provisions (Section 7-13-710)

  • A South Carolina driver's license or ID card bearing an “NC” designation cannot be used for voting.
  • Acceptable forms of identification for voting remain listed, but none with an “NC” marking may be used to cast a ballot.

4) Effective Date

  • The act would take effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Applicants for SC driver's licenses and standard/Special Identification Cards.
  • Individuals who are non-citizens legally present in the United States.
  • Voters who might otherwise use SC-issued IDs to vote (the bill restricts “NC” IDs from being used for voting).
  • State agencies issuing licenses/IDs, and law enforcement/hospital/medical advisory boards for data handling under the special medical-condition provisions.

Procedural/Timeline Notes

  • Referred to the Committee on Transportation (Jan 29, 2026).
  • Committee reported Favorable with Amendment (Apr 15, 2026).
  • Pending full chamber votes for final passage and enactment into law.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Increased documentation burden for applicants, particularly non-citizens seeking licenses/IDs.
  • Creation of a distinct non-citizen designation (“NC”) in the state’s licensing records and visible on the license/ID.
  • Voting-related implications: non-citizens would be barred from using SC licenses/IDs with “NC” status for voting, reinforcing existing eligibility constraints.
  • Privacy and data-sharing considerations for special IDs (autism and permanent medical conditions) due to disclosed information and access limitations.

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

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