American Association of Motor
Vehicle Administrators
MEMO
TO: Chief Motor Vehicle Administrators; Chief Driver's License Officials; Real ID Steering Group
FROM: Linda
Lewis-Pickett
President & CEO
DATE: December 7,
2007
RE: Action on Senate Bill
The AAMVA-NGA-NCSL coalition learned that a U.S. Senator was interested in introducing a bill which would reflect the concerns of the coalition, expressed in the Real ID impact report. Subsequently, we received a draft which contained three provisions:
1. Extending the compliance date to five years after regulations are promulgated,
2. Introduction of a negotiated rulemaking process to develop the regulations, and
3. Specific funding for the states to implement the law.
We were prepared to join our coalition partners in a joint statement applauding the senator for drawing attention to the states' concerns about Real ID.
Shortly before the end of the lame duck session, we received a draft of a bill that the senator intended to introduce on the last day of the session.
The content of the bill was not what had been presented to us. Essentially, it repealed Real ID, watered down language from the Intelligence Reform Act, and added onerous provisions favored by illegal immigration and civil liberties advocates.
We elected not to join on a statement lauding the senator because a) there was no time to brief the membership and obtain feedback, b) our uncertainty that your governors had been briefed on the content and implications of the draft bill, and c) our conclusion based upon our role of representing you in Washington, that a perception that AAMVA supported the senator would alienate many members of Congress and damage the relationship we have been working to build with the Department of Homeland Security.
After receiving AAMVA's position, the senator decided not to introduce the bill in this session.
4301 Wilson Blvd, Suite 400 • Arlington, VA 22203 • Tel 703.522.4200 • Fax 703.522.1553