Legislators Meet to Discuss Real ID

Montana legislators met on Thursday with state justice officials to consider Montana’s efforts to comply with the federal Real ID Act and ongoing reforms to the state’s parole system.  KTVQ.com reports that Sarah Garcia, administrator of the Montana Department of Justice’s Motor Vehicle Division, gave lawmakers an update on the agency’s work.  During the 2017 legislative session, Senate Bill 366– which allows Montana residents to pay an extra fee to get a driver’s license or identification card that meets Real ID requirements– passed in both houses.

Montana is one of the states whose driver’s licenses do not meet the security criteria.  Once the requirements take effect, the federal government won’t accept driver’s licenses from non-compliant states as identification at airports or federal facilities.  Montana has received an extension to Oct. 10, and Garcia said the state has asked for another.