Governors Question Ability to Implement Real ID Act

Governors from across the United States recently discussed at an annual meeting what funds and resources will be needed to carry out the mandates included in the Real ID Act, which would require that identification cards be enhanced to become part of a federal data system.

The act does not set aside funding for its various mandates, including the possible replacement of all the 227 million driver’s licenses and state identification cards currently in use. Governors are waiting for a response from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the logistics and costs involved in the new Act.

During the National Governors Association’s annual meeting in Des Moines, Iowa, governors discussed their concerns with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. They urged him to work with them to develop regulations for the issuing documents under the Real ID Act.