Legislature(2017 - 2018)GRUENBERG 120
02/07/2017 03:00 PM House STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB31 | |
| HB74 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 31 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | HB 74 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 74-DRIVER'S LICENSE & ID CARDS & REAL ID ACT
3:17:30 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS announced that the final order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 74, "An Act relating to the
implementation of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005; and relating
to issuance of identification cards and driver's licenses; and
providing for an effective date."
3:20:03 PM
LESLIE RIDLE, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Administration
(DOA), presented HB 74 on behalf of the House Rules Standing
Committee, sponsor, by request of the governor. She presented
with the use of a PowerPoint presentation, titled "HB 74
Driver's Licenses and ID Cards and REAL ID Act." Ms. Ridle
started with Slide 1, titled "Federal REAL ID Act," and stated
that in 2005 Congress enacted the REAL ID Act, which applies to
all states, the five territories, and Washington, D.C. She
relayed that it requires states to offer a driver's license or
identification (ID) that verifies a person's identification and
lawful status. She added that the card must have a digital
photo, a signature, and a unique number. The Act requires
states to check certain databases to verify the identity of the
person applying for the card. She said if the state offers an
ID that is not a REAL ID, then the ID must be clearly marked
either "REAL ID compliant" or "REAL ID noncompliant." She
explained that when she refers to REAL ID, she means driver's
license or ID.
MS. RIDLE offered that HB 74 would allow the State of Alaska to
comply with the federal law and would allow Alaskans to choose
either a compliant ID or a noncompliant ID. She said the choice
would be totally up to the customer at the time of purchase.
She indicated that the federal government has given the State of
Alaska an extension for complying with the REAL ID Act till June
6, 2017. She mentioned that the extension will expire if the
State of Alaska has not made any progress in changing its
current law to allow a REAL ID.
MS. RIDLE referred to Slide 2, titled "Federal REAL ID Act," and
noted the five states that are not compliant with the REAL ID
Act - Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Missouri, and Maine. She
mentioned that Washington and Minnesota offer what is called an
"enhanced license." This is a license that allows license
holders to cross borders; it has a chip; and it is "enhanced"
beyond the regular ID.
3:22:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if an enhanced ID is compliant with
the REAL ID Act and would allow someone to get onto a military
base in Alaska.
MS. RIDLE responded yes. She added that the enhanced ID
requires extra information, similar to what is required for the
REAL ID. She said it also has a chip in it, similar to the chip
in a passport. She said DOA could offer an enhanced ID with a
chip, but it would cost more money to issue compared with a REAL
ID. She asserted that the enhanced ID was more labor-intensive.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if the REAL ID and the noncompliant ID
would be noticeably different, and how people would become aware
that they needed the ID.
MS. RIDLE answered that the IDs would be clearly different. The
REAL ID has to be marked as a REAL ID to comply with the Act.
She said that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
already started to publicize the issue at airports, on the
internet, and through advertisements. She offered that if the
State of Alaska chooses not to "go down the REAL ID route," DOA
will need to then advertise, as well. She said that as of now,
DOA is not engaged in publicity, as it is the responsibility of
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and DHS.
3:25:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked what would happen if HB 74 does not
become law.
MS. RIDLE stated that DHS has told DOA that Alaska will lose its
waiver on June 6, 2017. She said that the first consequence
would be that Alaskans would be asked to provide alternate forms
of ID to get onto a military base. She cited some of the IDs
that would be suitable: passport, enhanced ID from another
state, REAL ID from another state, and military card. She
referred to Slide 8, titled "Timeline," and said that on January
22, 2018, TSA will ask for more ID at TSA checkpoints. She
stated that on October 1, 2020, a REAL ID will be required by
the U.S. government in order to fly.
3:26:36 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked what would be the "real world
experience" of an Alaskan with a noncompliant ID at a TSA
security checkpoint, if Alaska has not passed legislation by
January 22, 2018.
MS. RIDLE said TSA will ask for alternate IDs. She said TSA has
not been specific but has given some indication of approved
alternate IDs: immigration card, military ID, transportation
worker card, passport, passport card, veterans ID, trusted
travel's card, and travel card. She confirmed that there are
other types of federal IDs that TSA will accept; however, by
October 1, 2020, TSA will not accept these alternatives. She
clarified that TSA will accept a federal ID, such as a passport.
3:28:13 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH expressed that his constituents have
concerns related to the issues of privacy as well as inclusion
in a database. He asked what the distinction is between the
database Ms. Ridle described, used for verifying identity, and
the one used by law enforcement during a traffic stop in Alaska
or in any other state. He asked if the fear of loss of privacy
is founded.
MS. RIDLE referred to Slide 4, titled "What Will Change," and
stated that driver's license data would stay in the state
database. She explained that REAL ID would allow DOA to access
databases that already exist, such as the passport database or
the birth certificate database, to verify identity. She
explained that currently DOA is unable to access those databases
without the technology [to process REAL ID].
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked for confirmation that REAL ID would
permit DOA access to information such as birth certificates and
passports, not available through the driver's license database.
He opined that HB 74 would be a good initiative and important
for people needing to get onto a military base.
3:31:36 PM
MS. RIDLE referred to Slide 3, titled "HB 74 Driver's License,
State IDs, REAL ID Act," and said that HB 74 would allow
Alaskans the choice of a compliant or noncompliant ID. She
mentioned that HB 74 would also give the Division of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) the authority to spend money to implement REAL
ID. She asserted that Senate Bill 202, passed during the
Twenty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature, 2007-2008, stated that
DMV could not spend money on implementing REAL ID, which is why
DOA has been unable to build the technology allowing access to
the databases. She added that HB 74 would allow DMV to charge
an additional five dollars for the REAL ID to recoup some of the
cost.
MS. RIDLE directed the committee's attention to the right side
of Slide 3 and summarized: DMV is currently not allowed to
spend money to implement REAL ID; without the REAL ID Alaskans
will not be able to get onto military bases or fly with just a
driver's license; and the REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 to help
prevent identity theft. She asserted that the checks and
balances implemented through the REAL ID Act would help DMV
prevent identity fraud.
MS. RIDLE returned to Slide 4 to continue describing the changes
that would be instituted under HB 74. She said that a person
getting a driver's license would have his/her photograph taken
at the beginning of the process and at the end, to prevent any
trickery or false identification. She stated DMV would validate
the birthdate and passport information through the "reach out"
databases she mentioned; REAL ID cards would have a unique
design; noncompliant ID cards would be clearly marked that the
ID is not for entering federal places; driver's licenses and IDs
would be valid for eight years instead of five years; and there
would be an additional charge.
3:34:23 PM
MS. RIDLE continued her presentation with Slide 5, titled "What
Won't Change." She said DMV would still require the same
documents for getting a driver's license - a Social Security
card, a birth certificate, a passport, or other identifying
document. She mentioned that DMV would continue to background
check its employees. She relayed that DMV would continue to use
a secure facility to print the driver's licenses. She added
that there is no facility in Alaska that can produce the
driver's licenses that would be needed.
3:36:18 PM
MS. RIDLE referred to Slide 7, titled "What is Required From
Alaskans," and said that when a person is applying for a
driver's license for the first time, DMV would ask for the same
documents it currently requires as proof of identity for either
a compliant or noncompliant driver's license. She stated that
these documents include a Social Security card, a passport, a
birth certificate, and a tribal card.
MS. RIDLE went on to Slide 9, titled "REAL ID - Accessing
Military Bases," and said that before Alaska got its waiver,
there were a couple of weeks last fall during which DHS was not
going to give Alaska any more waivers if no [REAL ID] bill was
introduced. She claimed that Alaska was given a waiver until
June 6, 2017, because the State of Alaska indicated that it
would introduce a [REAL ID] bill. She said that during that
period of time, the military bases informed people that an extra
ID would be needed to get on base. She attested that DOA
started getting phone calls immediately from concerned
individuals and groups. She reported that there are new
projects on bases; people needing to get onto bases are not just
military employees but include state workers and civilians; the
Anchorage School District has four schools on base and two
departments; students travel onto bases for sports; and the
Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSB) also has
students on base. She went on to say that if Alaska loses its
waiver in June, the scenario last fall will repeat itself, with
military bases requiring an extra ID.
MS. RIDLE referred to Slide 10, titled "REAL ID - Possible
alternative documents," to point out the list of alternative IDs
for entering a military base. She added that some of the
callers asked about using a passport to get onto a military
base. She agreed that a passport could be used but offered that
at a cost of $125, requiring school district personnel and all
the workers doing business on base to have passports constituted
a hurdle.
3:39:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked how long a current driver's license
lasted.
MS. RIDLE replied, "Five years."
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL said his recollection is that in the past
when his driver's license expired, he only needed his old
license to renew. He mentioned that he doesn't recall showing
DMV additional documents.
MS. RIDLE stated that it is only the first time you get a
driver's license that you need the additional IDs.
3:41:03 PM
MARLA THOMPSON, Director, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
Department of Administration (DOA), said that the first time a
person applied for a REAL ID, DMV would require the additional
documentation, but it would not be needed for renewal.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if other states are doing this
"duality of IDs" - compliant and noncompliant.
MS. RIDLE stated there are at least a couple of states that are
doing IDs this way, so that Alaska would not be the first. She
asserted that this method was suggested by DHS as an alternative
for states "not wanting to accept it right away."
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if Ms. Ridle anticipated the REAL ID
becoming the standard and, eventually, the noncompliant ID would
not even be available. He asked for confirmation that Alaska
data would not actually be uploaded to a national database, but
DMV would have access to national data.
MS. RIDLE said that if HB 74 becomes law, DMV would probably
always offer the noncompliant ID unless the law is changed. She
said that based on information from other states, she estimates
about 50 percent of people renewing their driver's license would
get the REAL ID. She added that number may increase over time.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL commented that since Alaska is so dependent
on plane transportation, the need for a REAL ID is "pretty
real."
3:43:09 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX noted there were five states that haven't
complied with REAL ID, and two of the five offered enhanced IDs.
She asked about the three remaining states - which states they
were and what they were doing about this issue.
MS. RIDLE referred back to Slide 2 and answered that Montana,
Missouri, and Maine are noncompliant and do not have enhanced
IDs. She acknowledged that in those states, residents must
provide additional IDs to get onto military bases and to fly.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if those states have waivers.
MS. RIDLE responded no, the five states [who have not complied
with REAL ID] do not have waivers. She relayed that there are
26 states that offer a REAL ID and 19 states, including Alaska,
with waivers.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if the authorities in the five
states have been contacted "to see how things are working out
there."
MS. RIDLE responded that she has not done that, but it is
something DOA could do. She added that she has talked to the
Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), who has
counterparts in other states, and found it to be an issue in the
five noncompliant states. She attested that residents are
required to show additional identification, and some of them
find that inconvenient.
3:44:58 PM
ROBERT DOEHL, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Military &
Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), responded that DMVA is still gathering
quantitative information, but has learned anecdotally about
incidents that have occurred. He reported an incident in which
a military base required a Minnesota resident, who did not have
an enhanced ID, be escorted while on base by someone with a
military ID. He added that without being able to verify his/her
ID, the visitor was treated like a foreign national. He said
such a practice would be difficult for ordinary vendors coming
on base.
3:46:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH asked which school district personnel would
be impacted by the requirement for REAL IDs on military bases.
MS. RIDLE responded those impacted would be teachers, school bus
drivers, custodians, coaches, school volunteers, and those in
the two school district departments on base - the information
technology (IT) department and the fine arts department.
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH offered that the impact is not just limited
to school district personnel. He relayed that the Alaska
Trucking Association (ATA) is very concerned. He conceded that
in Anchorage it is a small issue, because many of the truck
drivers have Transportation Worker Identification Credential
(TWIC) cards, which allow them in and out of ports; therefore,
they already have some of the qualifications necessary to access
military bases. He offered that people in Fairbanks and other
regions with military installations are "really going to be in a
tangle down the road," if they are not able to get REAL IDs.
MS. RIDLE agreed and said that there are quite a few civilian
businesses on base; people are coming and going for restaurants
and truckers and movers come on base who are not represented by
ATA and do not have TWIC cards. She conceded there is
"definitely a lot of movement back and forth."
3:48:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK asked why it would be necessary for a person
to resubmit information to obtain an ID in the first place,
since the documents needed to verify one's identity would not
change. He referred to Slide 7 and mentioned that the
requirements for the three IDs are the same. He asked what a
person would need to submit for a REAL ID that hadn't already
been submitted for a new driver's license.
MS. RIDLE explained that if someone is getting a noncompliant
license as a renewal, he/she would not need the "proving
documents." However, if someone is getting a REAL ID for the
first time, part of the REAL ID requirements are that DMV
verifies the person's identity using the databases.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK referred to Slide 6, titled "REAL ID
Process," and noted Social Security number electronic
verification would be through a government agency. He asked if
the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) is provided by a
government agency or a non-profit agency.
3:50:15 PM
MS. THOMPSON said that PDPS is a system currently used by DMV
and is available to Alaska through the American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). She explained that PDPS
allows DMV in Alaska to check with other states for "points" on
a driver's record to determine if a person is eligible to get a
driver's license in Alaska.
MS. THOMPSON, in response to Representative Tuck, said that DMV
has been using the PDPS system for more than 10 years. She
added that AAMVA it is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization
that helps develop models with motor vehicle administrations and
law enforcement throughout the U.S. and Canada. She relayed
that DMV is a member of AAMVA. She offered that AAMVA helps
states work together to ensure that a person has only one
driver's license, and the person getting a driver's license is
permitted to have a license.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK speculated that it is similar to the
Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) program for
voter ID.
MS. RIDLE responded yes, that she believes it to be similar to
that program. She noted the definition of AAMVA on Slide 12,
titled "What is AAMVA."
3:52:18 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK referred to information in Slide 6, which
read: "SPEX/CDLIS [State Pointer Exchange Services / Commercial
Driver's License Information System] - State to State - Verify
existence of license and id's [sic] from other states
electronically." He asked if this referred to another division
similar to ERIC.
MS. RIDLE said that SPEX/CDLIS is a bridge that allows DMV,
through AAMVA, to do a quick check to ensure a person does not
have a driver's license in another state. She added that it is
a federal law that a person can have only one driver's license.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked if AAMVA and the databases being
discussed are identified in the original federal authorizing
legislation as entities and databases that must be utilized in
the REAL ID process.
3:53:41 PM
MS. THOMPSON said yes, AAMVA is mentioned in the REAL ID Act.
She said the Act gives options for databases that can be used -
CDLIS, PDPS, Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV), or
State to State - to check the validity of the documents that
have been presented.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered his understanding that PDPS, SSOLV,
and SPEX/CDLIS are all private, non-profit "data-basing"
companies. He asked which of the entities, listed on Slide 6,
were federal government agencies.
MS. RIDLE responded that the entities on the list are not
companies but databases accessed through AAMVA.
MS. THOMPSON said that currently AAMVA supports the
telecommunications that facilitate communication with all of
these databases. She said that the U.S. Department of State
(DOS) passport database is a U.S. database. She explained that
AAMVA has created a portal to the databases for states to easily
connect to them. She added that without AAMVA's portal, 50
different states would have to create their own portals to the
databases. She said that because DMV in Alaska is a member of
AAMVA, it benefits from the facilitated access. She added that
SSOLV is a federal database. She stated that CDLIS is also a
federal database that is overseen by the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA). She mentioned that the
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program (SAVE) is
a DHS program.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked for a written response to that
question for clarification.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK offered to draft a letter requesting the
information.
3:57:22 PM
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP asked why AS 44.99.040 was enacted, when it
was enacted, and why the Twenty-Fifth Alaska State Legislature,
2007-2008, passed legislation to prohibit the use of state funds
to comply with REAL ID.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK responded that as recently as last year,
people had a problem with non-governmental agencies having
databases that included civilians. He referred to a major DOA
data breach involving PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He also
mentioned the state's investigation of Mercer [Consulting] in
regard to State of Alaska Public Employees' Retirement System
(PERS) and the State of Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
data. He stated the concern is for being able to contain and
protect confidential information on Alaska residents and U.S.
citizens.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS concurred that cyber security and the
protection of digital data is increasingly important. He
offered that in the DOA overview [in the House State Affairs
Standing Committee meeting of 01/26/17], Commissioner Sheldon
Fisher mentioned the first-ever hire of a chief information
officer (CIO). Representative Kreiss-Tomkins noted that the new
CIO was "impressively credentialed" in the subject of cyber
security.
3:59:15 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if government data systems and private
data systems were equally susceptible to cyber security
breaches.
MS. RIDLE confirmed the hire of a new CIO, who will be focusing
on cyber security. She offered her belief that public and
private databases are always open to hacking and need
protection.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL referred to the flow chart on Slide 6 and
said he suspects that the process refers to a brand new ID
because it mentions driver's license tests. He asked about the
process for someone who already has a driver's license: if a
passport is required for a REAL ID or if it is an optional
secondary ID.
MS. RIDLE responded that if a person had a driver's license,
he/she would not need to retake the driver's tests. She
confirmed that the flow chart was for the person needing a
driver's license for the first time. She said that the passport
is just one of the documents that could be used for
verification.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL restated that a person who wants to get a
REAL ID would need a primary and secondary ID, a Social Security
card, and proof of residency. He asked how many pieces of ID
with an actual photograph would be required, in addition to a
current driver's license.
4:02:09 PM
MS. THOMPSON replied that DMV would require a driver's license,
which would have the person's photograph; the primary document
could be a birth certificate, a passport, a green card, or
anything from the list on the flow chart; and the secondary
document could be one's Social Security card or another document
on the list.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL mentioned that proof of a Social Security
number is required, but the Social Security card is listed as a
secondary document. He suggested that it might be difficult for
someone to locate his/her Social Security card and asked "How
many government agencies am I going to have to go to, to get IDs
to go to the DMV to get my REAL ID?" He added that he didn't
readily see a listing of all of the possible IDs.
MS. RIDLE said that some of the IDs are listed on Slide 10;
however, she conceded that DOA could do a better job in its
presentation by making a better list. She answered that the
process may seem cumbersome and may deter people from getting a
REAL ID at first. She added that at some point, the
inconveniences of not having a REAL ID may reverse that.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL pointed out that Slide 10 lists IDs
acceptable for entering a military base but not those needed for
DMV. He added that many people wouldn't have the IDs listed.
4:04:52 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked what [form of ID] a resident of a
noncompliant state, such as Montana, would need to get through a
TSA checkpoint.
MS. RIDLE answered that for the noncompliant states, the
restriction currently only applies to entering military bases
and federal facilities. She added that not until January 22,
2018, would a resident of a noncompliant state face a
restriction for air travel.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked if a resident of Montana would have
to present a passport, military ID, or other alternative ID,
mentioned on Slide 10, to get through a TSA checkpoint, if the
Montana legislature did not act by January 23, 2018.
MS. RIDLE answered yes, that is DHS's current policy.
4:06:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if the purpose of the federal
government requiring the REAL ID is to prevent identity fraud.
MS. RIDLE speculated that the requirement was partly due to
identity fraud and partly in response to DHS legislation.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX opined that having everyone's information
in a database makes identity fraud more likely.
MS. RIDLE reiterated that a person's information already resides
in the databases listed on the flow chart, and the REAL ID
process would not create a new database. She emphasized that no
Alaska data would be sent out of state. She said that any other
state wanting to check on an Alaskan's driver's license must
come through the "bridge" and have specific credentials to do
so, such as being a DMV from another state. She offered that
the other state's DMV would have enough information that Alaska
DMV can respond "yes or no, you do or don't have a driver's
license." She reiterated that Alaska DMV would not be opening
its database to any other entity.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if AAMVA would have access to
Alaska's database.
MS. RIDLE said AAMVA would not have access: AAMVA houses "the
bridge"; requests for information would come to AAMVA from
another state; and the information would go back through the
bridge to the requesting state. She attested that the data
would not "live" in AAMVA.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said that as someone who has to renew her
credit card at least once a year, usually around May, because of
a credit card database breach, she is uncomfortable with this
requirement. She added, "And yet, at the same time you got to
be able to fly."
4:09:36 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS expressed his sympathy for "the DOA
delegation" as being merely the messengers conveying the wishes
of the federal government as enacted in 2005.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP opined that the REAL ID Act seemed
redundant, as it does exactly what the TWIC was designed to do
for access to airports, harbors, and military facilities. He
relayed an instance in which he went to a dock to pick up
equipment and was required to show a driver's license, because
the TWIC was not acceptable.
MS. THOMPSON responded that the TWIC may work as an ID, but it
is not a license to drive.
REPRESENTATIVE KNOPP mentioned that it obviously isn't a
driver's license but is transportation worker's identification
card for access to the facilities he listed. He said he didn't
see how the "REAL ID driver's license scenario is any different
than what we have in place." He expressed that he shared
Representative LeDoux's concerns about data security.
4:12:12 PM
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK said the real question is: "Why are we
doing this?" He said the federal government is imposing huge
requirements impacting our private lifestyles. He offered that
he has problems with this database and has even had problems
with voter ID, which is making it harder for rural Alaskans to
vote. He asserted that many elderly Native Alaskans don't have
the identification necessary to meet the requirements to vote
and "now we're going to tell them that they can't travel." He
claimed, "It's a huge federal overreach."
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK mentioned that in the past, DMV stored a
hard copy of one's driver's license in a vault in the Alaska
State Troopers' barracks in Fairbanks, and no one would try to
break into those barracks for identify theft. He opined that
through the REAL ID Act, identity theft would be easier, not
harder. He asserted that he has always been concerned with
DMV's process for securing ID cards: sending identification
information to Indiana and waiting 30 days for the cards to be
manufactured and returned to Alaska. He said he witnessed a man
at a TSA checkpoint being subject to invasive procedures because
his paper ID was inadequate.
REPRESENTATIVE TUCK related that former Governor Sarah Palin's
administration spent considerable money on finger-printing
equipment to comply with the REAL ID Act, but the legislature
"changed that" and the former director of DMV is no longer in
that position. He said, "I think a better approach is to have
the federal government not be so paranoid about the average
resident of Alaska, the average civilian in America ...." He
expressed his concern with HB 74, with protecting Alaskans'
rights and their privacy, and with more federal control. He
added that he has never understood the need to have Alaskan
driver's licenses manufactured in Indiana, nor has he ever
received proof or numbers of fraudulent driver's licenses. He
said he understands that the IDs made in Indiana are 90 percent
federally funded, but asserted that the Alaska DMV has the
ability to create the holograms needed and the ability to verify
identification. He opined that the federal government now wants
more control and is using other agencies to cross-check
identification.
4:15:56 PM
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked if the process of obtaining a REAL ID
would be similar to the process of obtaining a passport:
submitting information to DMV and receiving the ID in the mail.
MS. RIDLE said that the REAL ID would not function like a
passport in that you could not enter a foreign country with it.
She said that one would get the REAL ID in the mail from
Indiana. She offered that she totally understands the angst
about REAL ID; the legislature passed Senate Bill 202 with a
vote of 59 to 1; and she herself has concerns about data
[security]. She asserted that HB 74 was introduced to offer
Alaskans the choice of whether or not to get a compliant ID.
She offered that DOA is trying to strike a balance with HB 74.
She reiterated that come 2020, people without the necessary ID
to fly, may ask why DOA didn't inform them or do something.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS asked what determined the number of years a
driver's license is in effect.
MS. THOMPSON replied that under current state statute [AS
28.15.101], IDs and driver's licenses are in effect for five
years. She added that a REAL ID would be in effect for eight
years.
4:19:50 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH opined that HB 74 would achieve a balance,
both for those concerned with data breach and for commercial and
economic needs. He noted the considerable federal investment in
Alaskan and federal contractors, and he opined that it is not an
unreasonable expectation that Alaska conform to security needs.
He asked if there would be any new information that would be
"pushed out" online. He suggested that the information
discussed is already readily available.
MS. THOMPSON responded that DMV would not be securing more
information but only verifying the information provided by the
customer. She asserted that DMV is also concerned about data
breach. She added that the information DMV would request is the
minimum necessary to verify a person's identity and the validity
of the document.
REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH expressed his appreciation for HB 74's
innovative approach offering a "double pathway" and offered his
support for HB 74 to move forward in a timely manner.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS stated that he will not be opening public
testimony on HB 74 in the present meeting.
4:23:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if the federal government has a
compliant ID, other than a passport. She asked if a person
could obtain a federal ID that was less cumbersome than a
passport, if HB 74 does not pass.
MS. RIDLE answered that she did not think there was an ID less
cumbersome than a passport. There is no federal ID card. She
offered that for a military ID or veteran ID, one would need to
be in either one of those categories.
MS. THOMPSON agreed there is no other federal ID other than a
passport.
4:25:05 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL mentioned the passport card, [included on
the list of alternate documents on slide 10], and he asked if it
was a condensed version of a passport and could be considered a
federal ID.
MS. RIDLE said that one can obtain a passport card: it is $55
new, $35 to renew, and lasts 10 years. She said that people
could use passport cards as IDs, but they are more expensive
than the REAL ID card would be.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL asked if the data is the same for the
compliant and the noncompliant ID, but the "bridge" is
different.
MS RIDLE said Representative Wool was exactly right. She
explained that the data was the same, but DMV could use the
technology to look in the appropriate databases to verify that
the information on the ID matches the information in the
databases.
REPRESENTATIVE WOOL reiterated that the difference is the
verification of the information. He offered that with just a
passport card, he would be able to travel anywhere.
MS. RIDLE responded that was her understanding.
CHAIR KREISS-TOMKINS offered that a passport card is only good
for getting into Canada and Mexico.
MS. THOMPSON clarified that a passport card also works for the
Caribbean and Bermuda. She reiterated that the passport card
does not work everywhere that a regular passport does, and one
would need both.
4:28:32 PM
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX commented that although more expensive, a
passport card would last 10 years rather than 8 years. She
opined that "now that I know that all you have to do is carry
this little card with you as opposed to a whole passport ...
it's ceasing to be quite as important to me that this gets done
on the state level." She added, "This leads to my question of
how much is this going to cost the state to implement?"
MS. RIDLE responded that the fiscal note for HB 74 is $1.5
million, which represents the database upgrades. She gave the
breakdown: $400,000 for the integration and verification
programs; $200,000 for the additional design and security;
$500,000 for the equipment for statewide offices; and $400,000
for development work for the printing and software templates.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if there would be costs in future
years [for implementation of REAL ID].
MS. THOMPSON replied that the $1.5 million is a one-time expense
for the database and system changes in order to implement REAL
ID. She said that the cost of REAL ID card production was just
under $5 each; therefore, the fee for the card would be [an
additional] $5.
REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked for clarification that a dual system
in future years would not cost the state any more money.
MS. THOMPSON answered that is correct. She added that the $1.5
million constitutes a set-up fee, and that expenditure would
allow DMV to have the dual system - the REAL ID compliant card
and the noncompliant card.
[HB 74 was held over.]
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| HB 74 Hearing Request.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB 74 Sectional Analysis.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB0074A.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB 74 Fiscal Note MVA.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB 74 Fiscal Note DOA.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB74 Fiscal Note DPS.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB 74 REAL ID Presentation FINAL.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB074 Supporting Document Letter of Support 1.31.17.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB074 Anchorage School District Ltr of Support for REAL ID Act Legislation 020317.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB074 Letter of Support Teamsters Local 959 2.23.17.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB 074 Letter of Support Alaska Dist Council of Laborers 2.24.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |
| HB074 Letter of Support FNSBSD 2.24.17.pdf |
HSTA 2/7/2017 3:00:00 PM |
HB 74 |