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Friday, August 14, 2009

Ind. Gov't. - Even more on: Governor Daniels eases, somewhat, new BMV license ID requirements [Updated]

Updating this ILB entry from yesterday, that concluded:

Okay, this is confusing. If you don't provide the additional identification materials when you renew, you will get an Indiana driver's license that has stamped on it "not for federal identification" or "not federally compliant," even though: (1) the feds aren't requiring such identification until 2016, and (2) may not even then because the feds may scale back the Real ID Law (as reported in this Aug. 12th ILB entry).
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has an editorial today titled "Don’t blame the feds." Some quotes:
After an outpouring of complaints, Gov. Mitch Daniels has eased requirements for renewing an Indiana driver’s license after Jan. 1. But state officials are still using misinformation to push Hoosiers to meet unnecessarily stringent requirements.

According to a news release issued by the governor’s office Wednesday, “States are required to begin issuing compliant cards in January 2010, and the federal government has mandated that states complete their compliance by the end of 2016.”

Not so, according to Jim Harper, director of Information Policy Studies for the Washington-based Cato Institute. The federal government doesn’t require the states to do anything under the Real ID act, passed in reaction to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“If your governor says that he is ‘required’ to do anything by Real ID, he’s trying to avoid his responsibility to protect the privacy and civil liberties of Indiana residents from federal government incursions,” Harper said in an e-mail. “That’s shameful.” * * *

There are no federal mandates because many states have objected to the federal proposals. The Obama administration has offered a less-restrictive proposal with its Pass ID plan, but even that plan – still under debate – is not as restrictive as Indiana’s driver’s license requirements, which require verification of birth certificates with the originating agency.

Andy Miller, commissioner of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, flew around the state last month to unveil Indiana’s SecureID initiative, in which all driver’s licenses will be issued from a centralized office after applicants present a minimum of four pieces of identification to prove identity, Social Security number, Indiana residency and lawful U.S. status.

Miller cited concerns for identity theft and security threats. The new requirements drew immediate fire from advocacy groups such as AARP Indiana and the Indiana League of Women Voters, which protested because of the burden the ID requirements placed on older Hoosiers and women, who would have to produce additional documentation to verify name changes. Democratic Party officials also complained, noting that the requirements were another stumbling block to voting in a state that already has the most restrictive voter ID laws in the nation.

In response, Daniels announced Wednesday that two types of ID will be available for Hoosiers renewing licenses or ID cards – one that is “federally compliant” and one that is not. The former must meet the previously announced SecureID requirements; the latter will require applicants only to show their current ID card or driver’s license.

Those who request the non-compliant card must sign an affidavit noting that they “understand that the card may limit their ability to board airplanes and enter federal buildings at some point in the future.” The affidavit requirement will undoubtedly frighten many Hoosiers into taking unnecessary steps to obtain a SecureID. New residents will have no choice but to do so.

In the end, the governor seems to have recognized that the new requirements threatened license branch improvements. The tough ID requirements are almost guaranteed to create confusion and inconvenience when they go into effect in January.

“Our BMV is now nationally recognized for its short visit times and friendly customer service, and we intend to keep it that way,” Daniels said.

Improved customer service is something the governor can claim with pride. But blaming the federal government for non-existent requirements is disingenuous. If the governor wants Hoosiers to take extra steps to prove their identity, he should say so himself.

[Updated 8/15/09] Here is a quote from an Evansville Courier & Press editorial yesterday:
This week, Daniels offered some changes he believes will ease the impact of the rules on at least some Hoosiers.

We're not so sure about that.

That's because the state announced Wednesday that there will be two licenses depending on what type of license the applicant wants to have in his or her wallet.

First, new applicants securing an Indiana license for the first time will still have to provide the requisite multiple forms of documentation.

Second, individuals who fly or enter certain federal buildings will want to provide the multiple IDs. Those persons will need a driver's license that meets certain federal criteria by 2016. They will have the option of doing that any time before 2016, and not necessarily when their license comes up for renewal during that span of years.

Third, if you are not planning to fly, nor enter certain federal buildings — which, we presume, will be listed later — then, for you, the new rules will be optional. You can provide the multiple documents or you can renew your license without the added documentation. The renewed license will not be federally compliant, but it will meet the requirements for licensed driving.

Did someone say this is confusing?

Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 14, 2009 02:52 PM
Posted to Indiana Government