Senator Jamie Raskin

The Capital

February 16, 2007

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/02_16-56/GOV

By LIAM FARRELL Staff Writer

A move to prevent Maryland driver's licenses from potentially costing almost $200 a pop to satisfy a federal security law picked up steam yesterday.

A divided Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee debated yesterday the merits of a joint resolution that would refuse to enact any legislation supporting the federal Real ID Act.

There is a growing movement among state legislatures to resist the legislation, which would require jurisdictions to adopt new federal standards for driver's licenses and ID cards by May 11, 2008.

Those new regulations range from prescriptive requirements on card design to proving you legally reside in the United States.

The Maine legislature has already passed a bill demanding the act's appeal, and eight other states are working on similar legislation, said Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The act is an unfunded mandate, said Sen. Jennie M. Forehand, D-Montgomery County, who is one of the sponsors of the joint resolution along with Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery County.

States will collectively pay $11 billion to implement the new standards. Maryland could face $150 million in costs that have to be paid for by such funding sources as increasing driver's license fees, Ms. Forehand said.

"It's the money we're talking about," she said.

The bill faces local opposition, however. Sens. Janet Greenip, R-Crofton, and Bryan Simonaire, R-Pasadena, are sponsors of a bill that would require Maryland to comply with the Real ID Act. Del. Ron George, R-Arnold, has introduced similar legislation in the House.

The federal regulations are critical in preventing terrorists and illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses, said Mr. Simonaire, a member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

Maryland is one of only seven states that does not require driver's license applicants to prove they are legal residents.

"Real ID works toward that," Mr. Simonaire said.

Although costs and wait times could increase at the Motor Vehicle Administration, not adopting the regulations could cause just as many problems, he said.

For example, Marylanders could be denied access to airplanes and federal buildings if the state's licenses do not adhere to federal rules.

Lax ID requirements could also put the state at risk for terrorist attacks that could damage the area's financial stability, Mr. Simonaire said.

"It seems like no matter whether we enact it or not, there's going to be an inconvenience," he said.

The attacks of Sept. 11 were invoked multiple times during yesterday's hearing, particularly in regard to how hijacker Mohammed Atta used a Maryland driver's license even though he was illegally in the country.

Taxpayers would be willing to pay more money for preventing that situation, said Sen. James Brochin, D-Baltimore County.

"If that's what the (Sept. 11) hijackers used, what's wrong with using a driver's license that's safe and secure?" Mr. Brochin said.

But Mr. Raskin said the issue is not about making security tougher. Rather, the bill is trying to prevent the federal government from passing crippling costs onto a state already experiencing budget problems.

"We have a moment of opportunity with our fellow states, saying that we need to re-evaluate where we are," Mr. Raskin said.

The committee votes on both Real ID Act bills will be close, Mr. Simonaire said.

"You definitely saw there was a lot of conversation about it," he said. "Until the actual voting day, you aren't going to know."

Ms. Forehand did not speculate whether her bill would pass the committee, but she hopes Maryland will join other objecting states.

"I think Maryland needs to add its name," she said. "There are a lot of better ways to spend $150 million."