Gov. Bill Walker is pushing for passage of legislation for compliance with the federal REAL ID Act, least Alaskans using a driver’s license or other forms of state identification be denied unescorted entry to U.S. military bases as of June 6.
Walker also said on March 23 that starting in January Alaskans will need a U.S. passport or other REAL ID Act-compliant forms of identification for domestic travel, unless legislation is passed to comply with the federal law Congress passed in 2015.
The REAL ID Act requires states to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and other forms of identification.
House Bill 74 and Senate Bill 34, introduced at the request of the governor, would provide Alaska residents with the option to get REAL ID Act compliant driver licenses. HB 74 has seen little action since it was referred to the House State Affairs Committee in late January, nor has SB 34, which was referred to Senate Health and Social Services on March 3.
The legislation would give residents a choice of getting REAL ID or not. Those who did not, however, would face restrictions entering military bases and passing through airport security.
The most common form of alternate identification would be a passport, but the Department of Homeland Security has provided a list on its website (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs) of other options
REAL ID would cost the state $1.5 million and any Alaskan who wants a Real ID would be charged $5 extra to help cover costs.
Some legislators have voiced concerns about the legislation, including Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage.
In her online newsletter to constituents on March 26, Gardner noted that the act established security standards for state IDs, creating a national database of identification information, and effectively turned drivers’ licenses into nation ID cards. REAL ID was opposed by many organizations, she noted, including the National Governors Association, Gun Owners of America, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Conservation Union, the National Organization for Women, “and many legislatures and legislators, including me.”
Gardner said she still doesn’t like the REAL ID Act and doesn’t “think it does a darn thing to increase our safety, but I am pragmatic enough to appreciate the governor’s approach, letting each Alaskan choose whether to stand on principle or to comply with a federal demand.”
