HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — Pennsylvania is slowly, but surely working its way to REAL ID compliance.
(PHOTO: Governor Tom Wolf signs Senate Bill 133 inside the Harrisburg International Airport on March 26, 2017. SB 133, known as the Pennsylvania REAL ID Compliance Act (Act 3 of 2017), will allow Pennsylvania to offer residents an optional REAL ID-compliant driver license or state identification card, which can be used to access airports, and federal facilities.)
On Wednesday, September 6, the state submitted a request for a REAL ID enforcement extension from the federal Department of Homeland Security.
Pennsylvania’s current extension, which applies to residents’ access to federal facilities, such as military bases or federal courthouses, expires on October 10, 2017.
The extension request includes PennDOT’s plan to meet the REAL ID requirements for customers choosing to obtain a REAL ID product.
The REAL ID Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, requires states to change standards, procedures, and requirements for driver’s licenses and identification cards for entry into federal buildings and for airline travel.
The act is an unfunded mandate by the federal government.
The state said system, building infrastructure, and process changes are necessary for it to issue REAL ID cards.
A recent PennDOT report to the state Legislature estimated it would cost up to $30 million in the next 18 months to establish centers across Pennsylvania to issue the new cards.
PennDOT also said it expects 2.5 million of the state’s 10.6 million residents with licenses or ID cards to want new cards.
PennDOT estimating that REAL ID cards will be available sometime in 2019.
The state initially resisted the act, but Governor Tom Wolf signed a bill in May to allow the state to issue licenses and ID cards.
Despite concerns over the costs associated with the new licenses and ID cards, Pennsylvania will unveil a new license/ID in October; however, it is not compliant with federal standards.
“We have developed a plan that will make it as easy as possible to opt-in for a REAL ID while minimizing impacts to the rest of our customers,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said.
“We are confident that the Department of Homeland Security will see the progress we’ve made and look favorably on granting an additional extension to Pennsylvania, so our customers will not face access issues.”
There is no enforcement on commercial air travel until January 22, 2018.
In addition, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Pennsylvania received at least $5 million from the feds to help implement the program between fiscal years 2008-11.
According to federal requirements, people without a state-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or photo ID must present an alternative form of DHS-compliant identification, such as a passport, unless the state issuing the driver’s license or photo ID has an extension granted by DHS.
Starting October 1, 2020, all air travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo identification card or an acceptable alternative identification as approved by the Transportation Security Administration to board domestic commercial aircraft or enter a federal facility that requires identification without a secondary form of DHS-approved identification.
While many Americans may not give the new ID much thought, some are heavily opposed to it, claiming it creates a national identity card.
One website, realnightmare.org, said the REAL ID creates the country’s first national identity card, increases the threat of identity theft, and enables the routine tracking of people.
It also asserts that with costs in the billions of dollars, it is a hidden tax increase that forces Americans to pay higher fees to get their IDs or pay more in state taxes.
Proponents say it will make it more difficult to create fake ID cards and increase national security.
Information on REAL ID in Pennsylvania, including frequently asked questions, is available at www.dmv.pa.gov.
