The state Senate has approved a bill that would allow immigrants to obtain drivers licenses regardless of their legal status.  The vote was 19-16.

The bill passed the House last week on a 74-55 vote.  An overnight debate lasted more than seven hours.

House Speaker Brendon Sharkey says the legislation would lead to fewer untrained and unregistered drivers, lower insurance rates, and help the economy.

Under the legislation, applicants for driver's licenses would still need documentation showing they have lived in the state for at least 90 days.

Opponents argued the legislation could encourage immigrants to enter the state illegally and could lead to abuses in voting. They had pushed for further studies of the issue.

Brookfield state Representative David Scribner, a ranking member of the legislature's Transportation Committee, says the bill will place unprecedented financial burdens on the DMV and cause chaos.  He says that of the 11 states that have implemented such a program, 7 have repealed it because of unintended consequences.  He says Connecticut could become a magnat for illegal immigrants because this is the only state on the East Coast with such a program.

Newtown Representative Mitch Bolinsky says the proposal holds undocumented residents to a lower standard of proof of residency than that used by the DMV for the issuance of youth learner's permits and graduated driver's licenses to documented, legal residents. 

All of the Greater Danbury area lawmakers voted against the bill.  Representatives Frey and Hovey were absent.