WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association (NGA) today praised the introduction of a bill by Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka, Ohio Sen. George Voinovich, Montana Sen. Max Baucus, Delaware Sen. Thomas Carper, Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy and Montana Sen. Jon Tester to transform the REAL ID Act and urged swift action to preserve the security and integrity of driver's licenses and identification cards, maintain flexibility for states and reduce implementation costs.

The Providing for Additional Security In States' Identification Act of 2009 (PASS ID) is a workable, cost effective measure that will make everyone more secure. The bill allows states to develop innovative solutions that strengthen privacy protections, while also modernizing systems for the 21^st Century.

"Governors are dedicated to protecting our citizens and share a strong commitment to ensuring our driver's licenses and identifications cards are secure," said NGA Chair Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. "Our hope is that the introduction of this bill transforms an unworkable law into a practical solution. As enacted REAL ID is a large unfunded mandate. In contrast, PASS ID gets rid of unnecessary costs and authorizes some of the funding necessary for states to implement this program – it's a first step towards covering the cost of compliance."

"This legislation redefines the partnership between states and the federal government the way it was always meant to be," said NGA Vice Chair Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas. "PASS ID addresses states' concerns about costs and privacy. In the end, this Act will actually make us secure in a more expeditious manner."

Recommendations in the PASS ID Act supported by NGA include:

• Reducing costs by providing greater flexibility for states to meet federal requirements by eliminating fees associated with the use of existing databases and eliminating unnecessary requirements;
• Eliminating the need to develop costly new data systems that raise significant privacy and cost concerns without increasing security;
• Strengthening privacy protections by requiring procedures to prevent unauthorized access or sharing of information; and
• Allowing states to better use existing timetables to renew compliant drivers' licenses and identification cards.

###

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.