Today Sen. Curtis King introduced a bill that would ultimately allow Washington residents to obtain a driver’s license or state identicard that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

King’s legislation would outline the documentation that would be required to receive a new federal-purpose driver’s license or identicard; describe the distinguishing marks on the card that would be required to meet REAL ID standards; and align state laws concerning non-domiciled commercial driver licenses with federal law.

“The ire that the REAL ID Act evokes – from many sides – has kept the Legislature from resolving this issue. We are now in a situation where not only have federal officials refused to grant our state another extension, but Washingtonians are soon going to be restricted from visiting military bases and boarding trains if we don’t move forward,” said King, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. “This is not acceptable. It’s time to come to the table to find a solution. My bill is a reasonable first step in the right direction.”

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, requires state-issued driver licenses to meet federal standards for security, authentication and issuance. In October 2015 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified state officials that it refuses to grant further extensions for Washington to meet REAL ID standards. Senate Bill 6678 would satisfy all 41 different REAL ID requirements.

“Although I am introducing this measure today, my plan is to schedule Senate Transportation Committee work sessions on this matter during the interim between the 2016 and 2017 sessions. That will allow lawmakers to be primed to address this issue when we return to the Capitol in January,” said King.

The state Department of Licensing has issued enhanced driver licenses and enhanced identification cards since 2008. Those will continue to be federally acceptable documents.

Click for bill language, summary document and draft letter to homeland security.