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Budget and Revenue Committee

Click here to view letter to House Representatives

 

February 22, 2006

The Honorable Senator Judd Gregg Chairman, Budget Committee United States Senate 624 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510	The Honorable Kent Conrad Ranking Member, Budget Committee United States Senate 624 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Re:      FY 2007 Budget Resolution and Funds for Implementation of the REAL ID

Dear Chairman Gregg and Senator Conrad:

As the Senate Budget Committee develops the FY 2007 Budget Resolution, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) urges you to include legislative language affirming the Federal government’s commitment to fully fund implementation of the REAL ID Act.

Under the REAL ID Act, a state must implement new federal standards for the issuance of drivers licenses (DL) and identification cards (ID) by May 2008, or the federal government will not recognize the state’s DL/ID for federal purposes.  The President’s FY 2007 Budget Request fails to provide any funds to state governments, which are responsible for the Act’s implementation. The President’s budget also substantially under funds the development of federal systems that are necessary for the Act’s implementation.  A lack of funds will impede the ability of states and the federal government to comply with the law and create a new unfunded federal mandate.

Funds are needed for states to:

• Issue a new REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to every citizen. 
• Ensure the physical security of locations where driver’s licenses and identification cards are produced and the security of the raw materials from which they are made.
• Provide additional training and background checks for department of motor vehicle employees.
• Upgrade and adapt existing systems.

Funds are needed for the federal government to:

• Upgrade a number of systems required to electronically verify identity documents—birth certificates, U.S. Passports, foreign passports, social security numbers.  Without these systems the law cannot be implemented.
• Develop a nation-wide system that allows a state to verify whether another state has issued a driver license or identification card to a certain person.

NCSL is working with the National Governors Association (NGA) and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) to develop a sound and reliable cost estimate.  The NCSL/NGA/AAMVA estimate will be sent to you and other members of Congress as soon as it is completed. 

We appreciate your consideration of our request and are willing to work closely with you to address our concerns regarding the need for state and federal funds for implementation of the REAL ID Act. For additional assistance and information, please have your staff contact Molly Ramsdell (202-624-3584; molly.ramsdell@ncsl.org) in NCSL’s Washington, D.C. office.

Respectfully,

                                             

Senator Michael Balboni New York Legislature Co-Chair, NCSL Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness	Senator Richard Moore Massachusetts General Court Co-Chair, NCSL Task Force on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Senator Don Balfour Georgia General Assembly Chair, NCSL Standing Committees	Senator Mary Margaret Haugen Washington Legislature Chair, NCSL Transportation Standing Committee

cc:  Members of the Senate Budget Committee