HELENA — U.S. Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines on Thursday announced they are again introducing legislation to repeal federal driver’s license mandates included in the Real ID Act of 2005.
The law was passed to prevent identity theft and terrorism, but Montana officials oppose the law that establishes a national database to store documents that verify identity, such as a birth certificate. The state was granted two years worth of extensions to comply with the law, but its request for a third extension was denied in November.
The newly introduced legislation is up against a Jan. 30 deadline. After that, federal agencies won’t allow people with a Montana ID into federal facilities and military bases. In January 2018, Montanans won’t be able to use their driver’s license as a form of ID at airports if all the provisions in the Real ID Act stand.
Both Montana senators and Rep. Ryan Zinke introduced legislation to repeal parts of the Real ID act last session, but were unsuccessful. (Click to Article)
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