States could get Real ID money

States can expect more federal funding and other support for complying with the Real ID Act’s national driver’s license standards. But experts disagree about whether the new measures will encourage states to begin implementing the program. The Real ID Act of 2005 requires state governments to issue standardized driver’s licenses and identification cards. Some experts have estimated that nationwide costs of the program could reach $14 billion. The Homeland Security Department has yet to issue final regulations for the licenses despite the program’s deadline of Dec. 31, 2009.DHS submitted a plan to the House and Senate Appropriations committees June 28 detailing how it will implement the congressionally mandated program, which means discretionary grants totaling $34 million could soon be on their way to the states to fund the program. That amount could rise substantially if Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) succeeds with an amendment to increase funding to $300 million. That proposal, however, is in its early stages.“He does plan to offer an amendment, but the amendment is not drafted yet,” said Jill Bader, a spokeswoman for Alexander. Some states, such as New Hampshire, have expressed their distaste for the Real ID program by not accepting DHS grant money. Other states, such as Idaho and Maine, have passed bills rejecting Real ID.Acknowledging the pushback from states, DHS offered to provide additional funding and alternate implementation solutions to speed states’ adoption of the new standards. Those options include different card technologies and enrollment processes.DHS spokesman Russ Knocke said many of the ideas came from the states.“There are a number of states that put forward a lot of innovative ideas,” he said. “That’s a very positive thing [that] we’re going to continue to encourage.” DHS’ plan includes a pledge to work with state governments and motor vehicle departments to explore various implementation ideas and short cuts.Some analysts say the additional grant funding could push states to finally start moving on the nationwide program. “While a number of states aren’t fans of the program, many states are, and they will apply for these DHS grants and spend them to upgrade their state driver’s license systems,” said Jeremy Grant, senior vice president and identity solutions analyst at the Stanford Group.Grant said states have long been skeptical about whether federal dollars would flow for Real ID. The possibility of additional DHS grant money is a positive sign, he added.“Once federal funds start to go to those states to support driver’s license upgrades, a number of states will cave in rather than see their share of federal dollars be transferred to peers,” he said.Other experts reacted to the promise of additional funding by calling on states to reject the grants until DHS releases its final rules for the program.“States are not going to meet the deadline,” said Jim Harper, director of information policy studies at the Cato Institute. He dismissed Alexander’s proposed amendment as a stopgap measure and predicted that it wouldn’t pass in the Senate.Harper also said the lack of movement on Real ID is the primary reason why so little grant money exists for states. “No federal money is out there because no states have committed” to the program, he said.