Senator Daines says Montanans have made their opinion loud and clear about being opposed to “Real ID”. The passport meets the minimum federal requirement for identification but people still need a driver’s license to drive motor vehicles.
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Daines was joined by Montana Attorney General Tim Fox in announcing the “Repeal ID Act”.
For years, travelers at all US airports have produced their state-issued ID – almost always a driver’s license – at a ticket desk and to clear airport security checkpoints.
The REAL ID Act stems from the federal government’s post 9-11 crackdown on terrorism. Which Fox and him say they have encountered a breach of their personal information since they started their federal positions.
In 2007, the state legislature voted unanimously to keep “Real ID” out of the state.
An October letter from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security shows Montana has already adopted or intends to adopt all but four of the 40 Real ID provisions spelled under federal law. He plans to introduce the bill when he is back in Washington D.C. next week. Failing to follow the standards could result in Montana driver’s licenses not being accepted to board commercial aircraft or enter federal buildings and nuclear power plants.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued multiple extensions to Montana and other states giving them more time become REAL ID compliant.
The state’s new driver’s licenses and identification cards’ security enhancements include ultraviolet ink, a laser perforation, a two-dimensional barcode and a drawing of Glacier National Park that uses lines and colors that are hard to reproduce.
It remains unclear what state residents will do if Daines’ latest repeal effort fails and that extension is allowed to expire.
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The state also does not retain images of identity documents used by driver’s license applicants, Garcia said.
