Committee backs fee waiver for IDs for people experiencing homelessness after testimony and amendment

Representative Boyd introduced House Bill 7 12, which would require the Office of Motor Vehicles to waive the fee for obtaining a driver’s license or state identification card for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and who meet the eligibility criteria (targeting those at or below 100% of the federal poverty level). The bill’s author and bill supporters described the $25 fee as a barrier to employment and housing for people with very low incomes.

Committee staff presented a set of amendments that change permissive language to mandatory requirements in certain places (changing “may” to “shall”) and require a homeless applicant to demonstrate homeless status at the time of application via one of several forms of verification such as public-assistance documentation, tax records, or shelter certification.

Members asked practical questions about guardrails to prevent fraud and whether the verification process would require new OMV staffing or training. OMV staff said no additional staff would be required but that training on document verification would be necessary. Representatives pressed on whether the program would be statewide and whether fees in arrears would be addressed; authors clarified the waiver covers the $25 issuance/renewal/duplicate charge but does not forgive license suspensions or unrelated arrearages.

Advocacy groups and people with lived experience spoke in support. Joe Heron Mueller of the Louisiana Advocacy Coalition on Homelessness and David Larson of the People’s Council of New Orleans testified that the fee is a meaningful barrier to employment and access to services; Larson described a friend who lives outdoors and cannot afford $25 for an ID. Committee members voiced both support and concerns about scope and implementation. Representative Shamarhorn objected to reporting the bill at one point but the motion to report House Bill 7 12 with amendments carried and the measure was moved to the House floor.

The committee adopted the amendment package and reported the bill with amendments, with members asking that the agency provide updates on how the waiver functions if the bill advances.