SF 2187: Relating to the verification of citizenship and immigration status of persons who apply for or renew a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card, and including applicability provisions

What it does

This bill requires the department of transportation (DOT) to use the federal systematic alien verification for entitlements system to verify the U.S. citizenship and immigration status of each person who applies for issuance or renewal of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card and who does not provide proof that the person is a U.S. citizen. The bill prohibits the DOT from issuing or renewing a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card if the person does not provide proof the person is a U.S. citizen and the DOT is unable to verify the person’s status as lawfully present in the United States.

House subcommittee · named March 3, 2026

• Rep. Cindy Golding (R) · cindy.golding@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Jeff Cooling (D) · jeff.cooling@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Ann Meyer (R) · ann.meyer@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 5 for, 14 against

For: Iowa Baptists For Biblical Values; Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition; Iowa Minuteman Civil Defense Corps; Iowa Motor Truck Association; VALOR Iowa

Against: Building Bridges; Dubuque Coalition for Nonviolence (CNV); Dubuque For Refugee Children; Episcopal Diocese of Iowa; Interfaith Alliance of Iowa Action Fund; Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church; Iowa Insurance Associates; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa; Presentation Lantern Center; and 2 more

In plain words

1. January 14, 2026Filed in the Senate and sent to the Transportation committee · as SSB 3024
2. January 14, 2026Senate subcommittee named: Kraayenbrink, Webster and Winckler · as SSB 3024
3. January 21, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it · as SSB 3024
4. February 3, 2026Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 2187 · as SSB 3024
5. February 4, 2026Filed in the Senate
6. February 4, 2026Approved by the Senate committee
7. February 25, 2026Passed the Senate, 42–5
8. February 25, 2026Arrived in the House
9. March 3, 2026House subcommittee named: Golding, Cooling, Meyer and A
10. March 4, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
11. March 18, 2026Approved by the House committee
12. March 18, 2026Committee vote: 18–0
13. April 15, 2026Passed the House, 87–8
14. April 21, 2026Passed the Senate, 38–7
15. May 11, 2026Sent to the Governor
16. May 15, 2026Signed into law