Requires the department of revenue to provide each individual 1 free original and 1 free renewal or replacement nondriver’s license every 2 years

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jeff Hales

HB 3520 would require Missouri's DOR to issue two free NDL items every two years: one original and one renewal or replacement, to every eligible individual.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#licenses-driver's #revenue #departmentof

Bill Summary: HB 3520 (Missouri, 2026)

Purpose and intent

HB 3520 would require the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) to provide every individual with free access to two nondriver’s license (NDL) items on a biannual basis: one original NDL and one renewal or replacement NDL, every two years. The core aim appears to be ensuring ongoing, free access to essential identification documents without cost to the bearer, potentially reducing barriers to obtaining or maintaining identification.

Key provisions and changes

Free issuance cadence: The DOR must issue:

1 free original nondriver’s license to each eligible individual.
1 free renewal or replacement nondriver’s license to each eligible individual.
The issuance occurs every 2 years (biannual basis).

Scope of items: Applies specifically to nondriver’s licenses (NDLs), not to driver’s licenses. This suggests a focus on identification cards rather than driving credentials.

Administration: The Missouri DOR is the responsible agency for implementing the program, including eligibility determination, production, and distribution of the free NDLs.

Co-sponsorship: Jeff Hales is listed as a co-sponsor, indicating bipartisan or cross-aisle support within the sponsors’ chamber.

Who would be affected

Missouri residents who currently rely on NDLs for identification would be eligible to receive a free original and a free renewal or replacement every two years.

Possibly new applicants and existing NDL holders who would benefit from the guaranteed free issuance, regardless of income or other typical qualification considerations, depending on how “eligible individual” is defined in the bill’s full text.

State revenue and administrative operations: The DOR would administer the program, which could affect annual budgeting, staffing, and processing workflows to accommodate free issuance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and read timelines:

Introduced and read First Time: February 27, 2026
Read Second Time: March 2, 2026
Referred to Committee: Emerging Issues (H) on May 15, 2026

The bill has progressed through initial readings and has been assigned to a policy committee (Emerging Issues) for consideration, indicating potential further debate, amendments, or a vote.

Effective date: The text snippet does not specify an effective date; the bill would typically include an implementation timeline (e.g., upon passage or a future date) in its full provisions.

Potential impacts and considerations

Public access and equity: By eliminating costs for NDLs, the bill could reduce barriers to identification for low-income individuals, students, and others who rely on NDLs for identification in daily activities such as banking, housing, healthcare, and voting processes (depending on state election policy and NDL use).

Budgetary impact: Providing free original and renewal/replacement NDLs would require funding for production and administration. The bill would likely necessitate an annual or multi-year budget allocation within the DOR or state budget.

Operational changes: DOR would need to implement a system to track eligibility and ensure the biannual issuance cadence, including renewal cycles and replacement instances.

Notes for readers

This summary reflects the bill’s stated provisions as of the latest available action history. The exact eligibility criteria, funding sources, and any sunset or renewal provisions would be clarified in the full text and any subsequent amendments during committee consideration.