Some suggest wait and see on Real ID

CARSON CITY -- Some lawmakers serving on a budget panel reviewing proposed funding for the Real ID Act mandated by Congress hinted Friday that they were leaning toward providing no money for the new driver's license program in the upcoming two-year budget.

The latest budget for the program submitted by Gov. Jim Gibbons would use $26.4 million in state funds over two years to hire the dozens of staff needed to begin implementing the act, which will require every driver in Nevada to go to a Department of Motor Vehicles office to show proof of identity.

Members of the Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means joint subcommittee were told the final regulations for implementation of the program will probably not be published until August, long after Nevada lawmakers have gone home.

Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, said the only requirement for the state over the next two years is to prepare an implementation plan for Real ID. Putting money into staff and equipment for a program that might be repealed by Congress would be a mistake, she said.

Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, offered similar comments, saying state opposition to the act "appears to be gaining steam all across America."

The Nevada Legislature is finalizing its own resolution asking Congress to repeal Real ID, he said.

"I think it would be real premature for us to go off half-cocked spending money without knowing what the rules are or even if the rules are just going to simply be repealed by Washington," Beers said.

Even a "bare bones" implementation plan that the subcommittee will consider when it makes a final decision next week would cost $8.9 million.

McClain said the Legislature doesn't have to worry about Real ID this biennium, or maybe ever.

The U.S. Senate held a hearing on the act Tuesday, during which the measure was criticized by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

The mandate by Congress included no funding to the states.

Nevada motor vehicle officials have proposed to begin implementing the act in May 2008 and continue for the next four years as drivers renew their licenses.

Unless Congress changes the Real ID act, which it passed in 2005, every Nevada resident who wants a driver's license will have to appear in person at a DMV office to get one under the anti-terrorism law.

In addition, every resident must show proof of who they are before getting the license.

The new licenses will be required to board airplanes, although passports also will be acceptable.

Motor vehicle officials are concerned that without additional staff, wait times to get a new license during the four-year period will be overwhelming.