(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers supported passage of a measure sponsored by State Representative William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) strengthening safety and security in communities across Tennessee.
House Bill 2312 fights back against sanctuary cities by prohibiting state and local government officials or employees from accepting consular identification cards and other similar documents which are not authorized by the Federal Government or the State of Tennessee for identification purposes.
The bill is a preemptive measure to ensure that abuses seen in other cities in the U.S. to issue government identification cards to illegal aliens are not implemented here.
Matricula consular cards were prohibited as a source of identification for receiving a driver’s license under a law adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2003 after widespread abuse was reported.
The measure is the latest in a series of Republican-led initiatives designed to strengthen safety and security in cities and towns across our state.
“As Chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee, I have fought to ensure that the safety of our citizens is never jeopardized,” said Chairman Lamberth. “House Bill 2312 addresses a potential security issue before it becomes a problem here in Tennessee, and I am pleased that my Republican colleagues have chosen to support it.”
House Bill 2312 now awaits passage in the Senate. Additional information about this initiative is available by clicking here.
William Lamberth serves as Chairman of the House Criminal Justice Committee and is a member of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. Lamberth is also a member of the House Calendar & Rules, House Ethics and House State Government Committees. He lives in Cottontown and represents House District 44, which includes part of Sumner County. Lamberth can be reached by email at Rep.William.Lamberth@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1980.