LAWSUIT: Senate to take up REAL ID

SENATE TO TAKE UP REAL ID 3/20/08
c/o The State.com

SOUTH CAROLINA- Senators are talking up a resolution that urges Gov. Mark Sanford to comply with the federal REAL ID program, as noncompliance will mean S.C. travelers will face increased scrutiny at airports.

The state has until the end of the month to tell the Department of Homeland Security that South Carolina will change its state-issued IDs to meet Homeland Security's standard.

Sanford has argued the program is too costly and S.C. already meets most of the federal standards. Sanford said issuing a driver's license would cost drivers $60 if S.C. adopts REAL ID. Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, says he has asked the attorney general to bring a lawsuit challenging the Real ID law.

ARIZONA LEGISLATORS GET THE DISH ON SPYCHIPS DIRECT 3-20-08
c/o Privacy Digest.com

PHOENIX – Three nationally-recognized privacy experts will be in Phoenix on Thursday, March 13 to speak to legislators and members of the public about the privacy implications of everything from REAL ID and national identity cards to radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and enhanced driver’s licenses.

Katherine Albrecht, RFID and Consumer Privacy Expert, Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, and Noam Biale, Advocacy Coordinator for the National ACLU Technology and Liberty Program, will address legislators at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 13 during the Public Safety and Human Services Committee hearing at the Arizona State Senate, 1700 W. Washington.

THE DISCUSSION : Would a National Biometric Authentication Scheme Work?
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SOUTHWEST Unprepared to Accomodate Delayed Customers 3-19-08
BeatTheChip.org

DALLAS, TX - BeatTheChip heard back from Southwest Airlines who indicated TSA enforcements would create hassles for flying customers and that passengers who completed the ID screening process would be allowed to board their flights.

Southwest's communcation with TSA said they are ready to train airport security investigators about new ID requirements and that they will increase staffing, if necessary, to perform the required additional screening.

Southwest Airlines, Headquartered in Dallas, said they currently do not anticipate a loss of revenue due to Real ID complications because they will “fly the customer”even if they are sent to additonal screenings. Southwest employees will be required to send customers with inadequate ID’s through additional security checks before being allowed to fly. The anticipated problems are an increase in the inconvenience of flying and longer lines at the checkpoint.

Southwest did not respond when asked about refunds and accomodations for missed flights due to screening delays.

Federal ID Efforts Could Affect Airports, Airlines 03-18-08
Tulsa World

Airport officials are worried that secondary screening and other REAL ID sanctions will further clog airport security checkpoints. Airport executives in REAL ID non-compliant states are advising travelers to arrive at the airport two hours before their flight, instead of 90 minutes, after May 11. " Mark Kranenburg, director of the Oklahoma City Department of Airports indicated wait times would increase if people would have to be physically screened in addition to presenting an ID as they do today.

PNAC Radio- Real ID Update 3-19-08 Broadcasted on We The People Radio Network