[Infowarrior] - Two new bills oppose federal ID law as privacy threat

[Richard Forno]

Two new bills oppose federal ID law as privacy threat
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/01/25/news/state/60-oppose.txt

By The Associated Press
HELENA - Lawmakers want Montana to be the first state in the country to say
no to federally approved ID cards.

Rep. Brady Wiseman, D-Bozeman, and Rep. Diane Rice, R-Harrison, presented
nearly identical bills to the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that would
reject the federal Real ID Act of 2005. Both said the act was an attempt by
the federal government to usurp power from individual state governments and
threatened an individual's right to privacy.

State legislatures in Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington have similar
bills pending, and more states are likely to follow suit, according to Matt
Sundeen of the National Council of State Legislatures. An effort to pass a
similar law in New Hampshire failed during its last legislative hearing.

"Our purpose here, members of the committee, is to lead, is to lead other
state legislatures and other governors in a similar effort," Wiseman said.
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Gov. Brian Schweitzer signaled he would support both bills. "I'd like to say
thanks to the last congress, but no thanks," said the governor's policy
adviser, Hal Harper. "No thanks, please."

The Real ID Act grew out of a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission to
incorporate common security features into state driver's licenses to prevent
tampering or counterfeiting. States will also be responsible for verifying
the legitimacy of documents used to obtain a license, such as a birth
certificates or green cards.

Without such federally approved licenses, people would not be allowed to
board an airplane or enter a federal building.

States would also be responsible for funding the changes, which Wiseman said
would cost Montana about $2.6 million. A wide-ranging group of proponents
spoke in favor of both bills and against the Real ID Act, which some said
was akin to a national ID card that would track a cardholder's every move.

"People concerned about federal databases may never use libraries again,"
said Lois Fitzpatrick of the Montana Library Association.

"The Real ID Act threatens to erode our fundamental right to privacy," said
Cathy Day of the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana.

"I will destroy every piece of ID I have. I will be hunted, I will move into
the mountains and let them come for me," said David Anderson, vice chairman
of the Constitution Party of Yellowstone County.

Some proponents were particularly disgruntled with Montana's lone
congressman, Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., who voted in favor of the Real ID
Act. But Rehberg's spokesman, Bridger Pierce, said the law was misunderstood
and did not infringe on personal liberties.

The difference between the bills is that Wiseman's "opposes" implementing
the Real ID Act, while Rice's "nullifies" the act. In an interview after the
hearing, Rice said both bills were needed to ensure bipartisan support. She
would have no problem, she said, if Wiseman's bill passed and not hers.

The committee took no further action on either bill.

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