HB1789 is an unnecessary and harmful attack on municipal ID programs, which serve as a critical lifeline for vulnerable populations in Arkansas. This bill would prohibit local governments from offering municipal IDs, stripping cities of the ability to create identification programs that help residents access services, employment, and community resources.
While proponents may argue this bill is about uniformity, in reality, it takes away local control and expands big government interference into city-level decisions. Different communities across Arkansas have different needs, and what works for one city may not work for another. This bill ties the hands of local leaders who know best how to serve their residents.
Eliminating municipal ID programs would disproportionately impact:
- People experiencing homelessness. Many do not have a permanent address or the necessary documents to obtain a state ID.
- Youth in foster care. Municipal IDs provide a way to access healthcare, employment, and other essential services.
- Low-income elderly residents. Some older adults lack access to original birth certificates or transportation to obtain a state-issued ID.
- People with disabilities or mental illness. Many do not have a driver’s license but rely on municipal IDs for medical care and emergency identification.
- Formerly incarcerated individuals. Reentry into society is challenging without an ID to secure housing, employment, or social services.
- Survivors of domestic violence. Many fleeing dangerous situations do not have access to the official documents required for a state ID.
- Displaced residents. Those affected by natural disasters may lose important identification documents, and municipal IDs help bridge the gap while they work to replace them.
Municipal IDs are only valid within the issuing city — they do not carry authority outside of their local jurisdiction. Cities should be able to decide for themselves whether to offer these programs. Local leaders, not the state legislature, know what works best for their communities.
By banning municipal ID programs, this bill removes a vital tool for local governments to ensure their residents have access to services, employment, and emergency support. It creates unnecessary barriers instead of solutions and expands state government interference into local decision-making.
The ACLU of Arkansas strongly opposes HB1789 because it strips local control, hurts vulnerable populations, and creates unnecessary bureaucracy. Arkansas communities deserve the ability to determine what’s best for their own residents.
We urge lawmakers to reject this harmful and unnecessary bill.
