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State lawmakers oppose Real ID law
By UPI Staff
United Press International
February 1, 2007
HELENA, Mont. (UPI) -- Legislatures in states including Montana and Maine have taken steps to oppose a U.S. federal law that makes driver's licenses more difficult to obtain.
The Maine State Legislature approved a resolution urging the U.S. Congress to invalidate the law, which is designed to help fight terrorism, before it takes effect in May 2008. The Montana House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that would exempt the state from the Real ID law, USA Today reported Wednesday. If approved, the bill would also need approval from the state Senate.
The Real ID law requires proof of residency to be shown by people seeking licenses and institutes a federal standard for technology allowing the licenses to be read by machines. Critics say the law could allow businesses that scan ID cards to create digital records every time the card is used.
"You're going to see a lot more states getting on board," said Montana state Rep. Brady Wiseman, D-Bozeman, who wrote the bill.
Other states with pending legislation opposing the law include Hawaii, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Vermont and Washington.
Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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