REAL ID berated by House members

Members of the House of Representatives vented their frustrations Tuesday over newly released federal identification standards set by the REAL ID Act.

But, in a 31-41 vote against HB449, representatives decided against opting out of compliance.

The rules have been only recently released for the federal act and the state's Driver License Division has yet to calculate how much it will cost the state. Residents of states that don't comply eventually won't be able to use their driver licenses or state identification cards for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights.

House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara, called REAL ID "a back-door mandate" that could cost states as much as $20 billion.

"I'm very frustrated," Clark said. "The consequenses are so dire, you are forced into compliance."

However, Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, the bill's sponsor, said the act is an unfunded mandate that violates state's rights. He said 18 states have opted out so far, and by doing so, are "asking Congress to come up with another plan rather than the REAL ID Act."

The original compliance deadline had been May 11, but the state has already filed for an extension until Dec. 31, 2009, said Nanette Rolfe, director of the Driver License Division. An additional extension is also available, she said.