States scramble to comply with REAL-ID law

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Several states have struggled for years to comply with the REAL ID Act, a 2005 federal law that requires state driver's licenses and ID cards to have security enhancements and to be issued to people who can prove they are in the United States legally.

With a January deadline looming, lawmakers across the country have been scrambling for legislative fixes so residents can board flights and travel without confusion.

Washington state was the latest to try to bring its system in line with those requirements, as Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure Tuesday creating a two-tiered licensing system.

Here's a look at the federal law and the potential effects:

REAL ID Act

The law was passed by Congress after the 2001 terrorist attacks to strengthen rules for government-sanctioned identification. It sets minimum standards for government-issued identification such as driver's licenses that are required to enter certain areas in federal buildings or board commercial airplanes. Those standards include requiring applicants to provide proof of identity and legal U.S. residency, and states to use counterfeit-resistant security features in the IDs.

Status of states' compliance

Just 25 states and the District of Columbia are in compliance with the federal law, though most of the remaining states and territories have been granted extensions of various dates, according to the Department of Homeland Security's website. Maine, Minnesota, Missouri and Montana are the only states listed as not compliant with the law and without an extension from the federal government. Maine's governor last month signed a REAL-ID compliance bill passed by the Legislature, however, and the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that was signed by Gov. Mark Dayton on Thursday.

Alaska, Montana and Missouri this year all have passed bills awaiting their governors' signatures.

Several other states are considering bills related to REAL-ID compliance, including Oregon and Pennsylvania. Governors in Kentucky, Oklahoma and South Carolina also have signed REAL-ID compliance bills this year.

Why have some states balked at following the federal rule?

Some liberal and conservative states have objected to the new rules, with concerns ranging from discrimination to worries law-abiding U.S. citizens could be tracked using the new system.

Others have opposed the U.S. government unilaterally setting standards in an area traditionally handled by states.

What lack of compliance means for states

Residents of states that are in compliance have until Oct. 21, 2020, before being required to show the REAL-ID compliant identification. Residents of states that aren't in compliance with REAL ID and don't have an extension need additional identification for access to some military bases and federal facilities and, starting Jan. 22, 2018, to board commercial flights.

Washington state already offers -- but does not mandate -- enhanced driver's licenses and IDs that require proof of U.S. citizenship and are valid under the federal law. The state also issues standard licenses that don't comply with the federal rule. Starting in July 2018, those standard licenses will be marked to indicate they are not REAL-ID compliant. People will have a choice of which license they want. Those with the non-compliant licenses will need additional documentation -- such as a passport or permanent resident card -- to board domestic commercial flights, most likely starting in October 2020.