Martinez calls N.M. Democratic compromise bill on driver’s licenses ‘partisan gimmick’

New Mexico House Democrats reintroduced a compromise bill tightening requirements for foreign nationals applying for driver’s licenses Friday, but Gov. Martinez called it a “partisan gimmick.” The bill, almost identical to the one passed in the Senate during the regular session, would require driver’s licenses for those without a Social Security number to be renewed every two years — instead of every four to eight — and additional documentation proving New Mexico residency. Some of the notices sent out to foreign nationals asking them to prove state residency were sent back because the license-holders never lived at the address, the address did not exist or they simply moved out-of-state.