DHS extends states' deadline to request more time to meet REAL ID

By Jason Miller
Executive Editor
FederalNewsRadio

The Homeland Security Department is pushing back the deadline by six weeks for states to request an extension to comply with the REAL ID program.

DHS in its January 2008 final rule set an Oct. 11, 2009 target for states request extra time. States now have until Dec. 1 to request more time to comply with the law.

"All states timely filed the required request for extensions and were granted an extension of the compliance date," DHS states in a Federal Register notice issued today. "DHS has determined that additional time is warranted for states to submit a request for an additional extension."

States that do not request an extension still must meet the Jan. 1, 2010 deadline to begin issuing driver's licenses or other identification cards to issue documents, driver's licenses or other identification cards that meet the security requirements outlined in the REAL ID Act of 2005.

Congress is considering legislation to change REAL ID to PASS ID, which would reduce the cost and to states. The National Governors Association and others have estimated implementing REAL ID could cost as much as $4 billion.

The Senate's version of the law passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, but the House legislation has not gotten out of the Homeland Security Committee.

PASS ID would:

• Amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit agencies from accepting state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards unless the state issues such licenses and cards that are materially compliant with the minimum standards of this act;
• Prohibit persons from being denied boarding a commercial aircraft solely because of failure to present a driver's license or identification card issued pursuant to this act;
• Specify a minimum document requirements and issuance standards for such licenses and cards;
• Direct the DHS secretary to enter into the appropriate aviation security screening database information on persons who have been convicted of using a false driver's license at an airport; and to establish a state-to-state one driver, one license demonstration program;
• Establish a State Driver's License Enhancement Grant Program;
• Make it unlawful for a person knowingly and without lawful authority to copy or resell information from a driver's license or identification card.