Thread: Governors Tally Real Costs of Real-ID Act

Governors Tally Real Costs of Real-ID Act

The National Governors Association (NGA) has released a report that breaks out the estimated costs to the states to implement requirements of the federal Real-ID Act.

Reissuing New DL/ID Cards: $8.48 billion
New Real-ID-compliant driver’s licenses or ID cards will need to be issued to all new and existing license or ID holders in the state. Costs include the need for additional DMV staff, facility changes, personnel support, public education/awareness and increased customer contacts; like dealing with thousands of people who are unable to produce their birth certificate.

New Verification Processes: $1.42 billion
The Real ID Act requires the use of 5 national electronic verification (e-verification) systems. None of which are currently used on a nationwide basis. Costs include standardizing naming conventions; verifying, capturing and storage of documents and photos.

DL/ID Card Design Requirements: $1.11 billion
The incorporation of high-tech security features into state drivers license or ID cards to prevent tampering and counterfeiting. Costs could run even higher if final federal regulations require the use of laser-engraved polycarbonate materials.

Support Costs: at least $4 million
Items include security clearances of all employees involved in production and issuance process and federally mandated fraudulent document recognition training.

Total Cost: $11.05 billion

With several states considering legislation rejecting the Real-ID Act, the Department of Homeland Security recently extended the deadline for state compliance with the law from May 11, 2008 to December 31, 2009.

What it Means to You
After the final implementation date, persons not carrying a state-issued, Real-ID Act-compliant drivers license or ID card will not be allowed to board commercial airliners, open certain bank accounts or enter federal buildings, including federal courthouses.

Also See:
Real ID Act: Better Have Your Birth Certificate!
States Race to Reject Real ID Act
Could Real ID Act Herald the Apocalypse?
Top Ten Signs of the US Police State (Civil Liberties)

Wednesday May 23, 2007 | comments (0)


http://usgovinfo.about.com/b/a/217612.htm

Thursday, May 24, 2007
N.H. Senate backs Real ID ban
By NORMA LOVE
Associated Press Writer
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) _ The state Senate voted unanimously Thursday to join other states and reject the federal Real ID Act as tantamount to requiring a national ID card.

The Senate voted to bar the state from complying with the federal act that sets standards for state-issued driver's licenses. The House had previously passed the bill 268-8.

The bill calls the federal law "repugnant" to the state and federal constitutions.

Gov. John Lynch has said he will sign the bill, which first must go back to the House to review an unrelated amendment providing a death benefit for police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

The death benefit also is in a Senate-passed bill that the House is considering postponing until next year. Two police officers have died in the line of duty in the past seven months.

"I continue to have many concerns about Real ID, including the cost, the impact on the privacy of our citizens and the burden it will place on state government employees," Lynch said. "I applaud the Senate for overwhelmingly rejecting Real ID and for sending a strong message to the federal government."

Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said Lynch also supports the death benefit.

Real ID opponents said the state needs to send a clear statement that the federal government went too far.

"It is clear that Real ID is an idea the federal government put forward, but has not completely thought out," said Sen. Peter Burling, a Cornish Democrat.

Last year, New Hampshire _ one of two states picked to pilot the program _ was the first state to consider rejecting the federal law, but the bill failed in the Senate.

Still, other states took up the fight, and last month Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed similar bills blocking their states from implementing the national rules.

President Bush recently bowed to pressure from the nation's governors and Congress and granted states until Dec. 31, 2009, to comply. Two years ago, Congress set a deadline for states to comply with uniform licensing standards by May 2008.

The law passed in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. It requires all states to bring their driver's licenses under a national standard and to link their record-keeping systems. States must verify identification used to obtain a driver's license, such as birth certificates, Social Security numbers and passports.

Driver's licenses not meeting the standard won't be accepted as identification to board an plane or enter a federal building.

Critics complain the law is too intrusive and costly to states to implement. They also say creating a national database of drivers' information will be a target for thieves looking to steal identities.

Rep. Neal Kurk, R-Weare, the prime sponsor of the New Hampshire bill, says legislation or resolutions have been introduced in at least 26 states opposing Real ID.

Lynch and the Executive Council rejected the $3 million federal grant attached to the pilot project last year. Earlier this year, he reiterated his concern that Real ID could end up costing the state tens of millions of dollars for implementation and enforcement, and said he also had privacy concerns.

Washington's law says the state will not implement Real ID unless the federal government pays the cost, takes steps to ensure that privacy and data security concerns are addressed, and the system doesn't place unreasonable costs or record-keeping burdens on the average citizen.

The measure also gives Washington's attorney general the authority, if the governor concurs, to go to court to challenge the federal law.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 1/70524062

Revolt against new U.S. ID card grows
Thu May 24, 2007 4:12PM EDT
By Jason Szep

BOSTON (Reuters) - New Hampshire on Thursday joined a growing list of states to reject a controversial U.S. identification card that opponents say will cost billions of dollars to administer and present a risk to privacy.

The Democratic-controlled state Senate approved legislation to prohibit the Real ID program in a 24-0 vote, and Gov. John Lynch said he would sign the bill, which passed the state House of Representatives on April 6.
New Hampshire becomes the 13th state to oppose the identification card. Another 22 states are considering similar legislation or resolutions to reject it, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

I applaud the Senate for overwhelmingly rejecting Real ID and for sending a strong message to the federal government," Lynch, a Democrat, said in a statement. "I look forward to signing this legislation, which will ensure the interests of the people of New Hampshire are protected."

The U.S. Congress in 2004 passed a law calling for the national digital identification system. It is intended as a post-September 11 security measure to make more secure the state-issued driver's license that are an ubiquitous form of identification in the United States.

Under the program, states would be required to verify documents presented with license applications and to link their license databases into a national electronic network. The federal law that created the program did not provide states with funds to carry it out.

"We are tremendously concerned that everyone's most sensitive, personally identifiable information is going to be in a database that is wide open, unprotected and will draw identify thieves like bees to honey," said Tim Sparapani, senior counsel at the ACLU.

But backers say the driver's license -- a primary means of identification in the United States -- is fundamentally insecure because of widespread identity theft.

Some 227 million people hold drivers' licenses or identity cards given out by states, which issue or renew about 70 million each year.

Lawmakers in neighboring Maine passed a resolution demanding repeal of the Real ID Act in January -- making the New England state the first in the nation to do so.

The program would also require states to verify that people receiving the cards are in the country legally, though they would have the ability to issue other forms of driving permits to illegal aliens.



http://www.reuters.com/article/domestic ... 4120070524