Real ID compliance score card
The following states have enacted legislation that indicates their intentions regarding compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures compilation, 2009.
Footnotes:
1. The bill requests an extension of time for Ohio to comply with the Real ID's provisions, but no further complying legislation was passed.
2. The bill allows the governor to delay Real ID compliance until the Homeland Security Department guarantees that defined safeguards will protect the economic and biological privacy of the citizens of Georgia.
3. Virginia legislators have complied with Real ID but have also passed legislation that bars the state from complying with any aspect of the law that would compromise the economic privacy or biometric data of state residents.
4. Maine has complied to aspects of the Real ID Act. The state requires applicants to prove lawful presence to acquire a driver's license or identification card.
5. Michigan lawmakers have resolved not to comply with the Real ID Act but have also urged Congress to implement a dual-purpose identification card pilot program in the state that would comply with the provisions of the Real ID Act and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
6. Washington has authorized the issuance of enhanced driver's licenses to ease travel across the U.S.-Canadian border.
About the Author
Alan Joch is a freelance writer based in New Hampshire.