Legislation was formally introduced in the Senate and House by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jon Tester (D-MT) and Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) on Tuesday that would repeal federal mandates for driver’s licenses included in the REAL ID Act of 2005.
“Montanans have spoken loud and clear: we don’t want REAL ID and we don’t want the federal government infringing on our personal privacy,” Daines said. “The Repeal ID Act ensures Montanans’ voices are heard and will help strike the right balance that protects our security while also safeguarding Montanans’ civil liberties.”
Tester previously authored and introduced legislation in 2007 to block the implementation of REAL ID standards, while Daines introduced legislation while serving in the House in 2014 to repeal the act.
The REAL ID Act of 2005 established national standards for driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards. Repealing Title II of the legislation would ensure that Montana’s 2007 law banning compliance with driver’s license mandates in REAL ID is protected.
“Rolling back these Washington mandates is important to ensure Montana’s state sovereignty,” Zinke said. “While maintaining security standards is important, we cannot allow the federal government to infringe on our right to privacy and strip Montana of our state sovereignty.”
An extension was recently granted to Montana by DHS for meeting REAL ID mandates until Oct. 10. If an additional extension is not provided or if REAL ID requirements are not repealed, Montanans could be required to show additional identification documents when flying in the U.S.
“REAL ID violates the constitutional freedoms of law-abiding Americans and has no place in Montana,” Tester said. “I will continue my fight to protect Montanans from this costly overreach that invades privacy and forces local taxpayers to foot the bill.”