Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

A bill for an act relating to citizenship or immigration status for purposes of a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card, and including applicability provisions.(Formerly HSB 37.)

Subcommittee members: Wheeler-CH, Ramirez, Williams

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Location: RM 19

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

01-24-2026

Michael Bayer

I fully support HF439 to require that people applying for or renewing a driver's license of ID card must provide their citizenship status and that designation should be required on the driver's license or ID card. Driver's licenses are used to verify identity for voting purposes and many other purposes. Having the driver's license show the person's citizenship status is a step to making the sure our elections are only for U.S. citizens as required by our Iowa constitution. Some people think that the REAL ID indicates that the person with the REAL ID is a citizen. However, citizenship is not required to obtain the REAL ID license. People with lawful presence in the United States can obtain a REAL ID (e.g., permanent residents, temporary visa holders, etc.)Please advance this bill.

01-25-2026

Larissa Boeck

I strongly oppose House File 439, which would require driver's licenses and nonoperator's identification cards to indicate a person's citizenship or immigration status. This bill is unnecessary and discriminatory. It would only be harmful to Iowa's communities and economy. Please vote no on HF 439!

01-26-2026

Chelsea Toppin

I am writing as a concerned Iowan to urge you to vote NO on HF 439.Requiring citizenship status to be displayed on drivers licenses and identification cards is unnecessary and deeply troubling. Undocumented Iowans are already not eligible for licenses or IDs, so this bill would primarily impact lawfully present residents who are not yet citizens. This creates serious privacy concerns and opens the door to discrimination and profiling.HF 439 risks making everyday interactionstraffic stops, routine identification checks, and even emergency situationsmore dangerous for noncitizens who are here legally. Displaying citizenship status on an ID could be used as a pretext for detention or harassment, and it places undue fear on families and community members who contribute to our state.Iowa should not advance legislation that undermines privacy, due process, or community trust. Oppose HF 439 and work toward policies that keep all Iowans safe and treated with dignity, making Iowa better place, not worse.

01-26-2026

Amy Spike

I am writing as a concerned Iowan to urge you to vote no on HF 439. Requiring citizenship status to be displayed on drivers licenses and identification cards is unnecessary and raises serious privacy and civil rights concerns.Undocumented individuals are already ineligible for licenses or IDs, meaning this bill would primarily affect lawfully present noncitizens. Displaying citizenship status increases the risk of discrimination, profiling, and misuse during routine interactions such as traffic stops or emergency situations.Iowa should not advance legislation that undermines privacy, due process, or community trust. I respectfully urge you to oppose HF 439 and support policies that promote safety and dignity for all Iowans.

01-26-2026

Christina Crew

HF 439 is unnecessary and redundant. Iowa already requires proof of lawful presence to obtain a drivers license, meaning undocumented noncitizens cannot be licensed in the first place. A valid Iowa drivers license already functions as proof of legal status. Requiring citizenship labels on licenses adds no public safety benefit, creates additional bureaucracy, increases administrative costs, and wastes taxpayer resources solving a problem that does not exist.

01-26-2026

Kristine Brimm

Will the 2.2 million licensed drivers in Iowa all show up at the DMV for a new license before people start getting arrested for not having the new ID in place. How much will this cost the state to open enough office to get this done.

01-26-2026

Stacy Volmer

I strong oppose HF 439. This bill forces all Iowa drivers licenses and nonoperator IDs to display citizenship or immigration status, creating a governmentsanctioned system of discrimination. It will terrorize immigrants, deter people from accessing essential services, and undermine public safety by discouraging trust and cooperation with law enforcement. This policy is cruel, unnecessary, and will make Iowa residents less safe while stigmatizing entire communities. HF 439 is reckless, dehumanizing, and must be rejected outright.

01-26-2026

Megan Hanson

Please vote No on HF439. Not only is it discriminatory and could lead to racial profiling, but it will negatively impact the processes associated with issuing a license. This is unnecessary. Why would this marker be necessary if it wasn't to discriminate? Please vote no.

01-27-2026

Jon-Edward Frasher

Vote No on HF 439. If you're able to provide the necessary documentation required to aquire a ID then your citizenship status is implied. Adding citizenship status is like having to list your height twice. Unnecessary.

01-27-2026

Zach Marks

There are hundreds of better things that time could be dedicated to in improving Iowa, instead of this silly bill. For instance, research into why Iowa leads in cancer cases, keeping the best teachers in Iowa, not having polluted water, and many more. Torch this, and focus on improving lives in Iowa.