H.R. 3739 – Red Light Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 7:19 AM UTC

The Red Light Act would punish any state that issues driver’s licenses or other state‑issued ID cards to people who are in the United States without legal status. It does this by cutting off that state’s federal highway funding. The bill targets state governments that have passed laws allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain such identification.

Key Provisions

Adds a new section to the U.S. Code that allows the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 100% of a state’s highway funds (under sections 104(b)(1), (3), and (4) of title 23) for fiscal year 2020 and each year thereafter if the state provides licenses or ID cards to unlawfully present aliens.
Defines a “non‑compliant” state as one that has enacted a law permitting the issuance of driver’s licenses or other identification cards to undocumented immigrants.
Withheld funds remain available for the remainder of the fiscal year and can be released back to the state if it stops issuing those documents before the year ends.
Provides a definition of “identification card” as a personal ID card issued by a state, referencing the existing federal definition.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseFloor Latest Action

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Lesko asked unanimous consent that she hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3739, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chris Collins of New York, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

June 29, 2020 • 8:45 PM

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 12, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

July 12, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

July 15, 2019

HouseFloor

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mrs. Lesko asked unanimous consent that she hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 3739, a bill originally introduced by Representative Chris Collins of New York, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

June 29, 2020 • 8:45 PM

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 12, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3739

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 12, 2019

Mr. Collins of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To withhold Federal highway funds from States that provide driver's licenses or identification cards to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Red Light Act.

2.

Withholding of funds for providing identification cards to certain aliens

(a)

In general

Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

171.

Withholding of funds for providing identification cards to certain aliens

(a)

Withholding of funds for noncompliance

For fiscal year 2020 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall withhold 100 percent of the amount required to be apportioned under each of sections 104(b)(1), 104(b)(3), and 104(b)(4) of this title to any State that is described in subsection (b).

(b)

State described

A State described in this subsection is a State that has enacted a law that allows the State to provide a driver’s license or other identification card to an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States.

(c)

Effect of withholding funds

(1)

Any funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment to any State shall remain available until the end of the fiscal year for which the funds are authorized to be appropriated.

(2)

If, before the last day of the period for which funds withheld under subsection (a) from apportionment are to remain available for apportionment to a State under paragraph (1), the State meets the requirement of subsection (b), the Secretary shall, on the first day on which the State meets the requirement, apportion to the State the funds withheld under subsection (a) that remain available for apportionment to the State.

(d)

Identification card defined

The term identification card means a personal identification card, as defined in section 1028(d) of title 18, United States Code, issued by a State.

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(b)

Clerical amendment

Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, in the table of contents is amended by adding at the end the following:

171. Withholding of funds for providing identification cards to certain aliens.

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