PASS ID Act

Bill: 111-s-1261
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-06-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations
Right of privacy
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-15
text: 
Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification Act of 2009 or the PASS ID Act - Repeals title II (Improved Security for Driver's Licenses and Personal Identification Cards) of the REAL ID Act of 2005.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit: (1) federal agencies from accepting state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards unless the state issues such licenses and cards that are materially compliant with the minimum standards of this Act; and (2) persons from being denied boarding a commercial aircraft solely because of failure to present a driver's license or identification card issued pursuant to this Act.
 
Specifies minimum document requirements and issuance standards for such licenses and cards.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) enter into the appropriate aviation security screening database information on persons who have been convicted of using a false driver's license at an airport; and (2) establish a state-to-state one driver, one license demonstration program.
 
Establishes a State Driver's License Enhancement Grant Program.
 
Makes it unlawful for a person knowingly and without lawful authority to copy or resell information from a driver's license or identification card.

action_date: 2009-11-19
text: 
Providing for Additional Security in States' Identification Act of 2009 or the PASS ID Act - (Sec. 2) Repeals title II (Improved Security for Driver's Licenses and Personal Identification Cards) of the REAL ID Act of 2005.
 
(Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit federal agencies from accepting state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards unless the state issues such licenses and cards that are materially compliant with the minimum standards of this Act.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify any driver's license or identification card, including an Enhanced Driver's License designated by the Secretary under the 9/11 Commission Implementation Act of 2004, as compliant with the requirements of this Act if the Secretary determines, after review, that it meets them.
 
Allows any person not presenting a state-issued driver's license or identification card to be permitted to board a commercial aircraft, or be denied such permission, upon the unreviewable discretion of the Secretary or his or her designated security official.
 
Specifies minimum document requirements and issuance standards for such licenses and cards, including personal information, a combination of security features, a common machine-readable technology, a digital photo, and certain documentation.
 
Requires a state, before issuing a driver's license or identification card, to verify that a person: (1) is a U.S. citizen or national, or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or (2) is an alien meeting certain other lawful immigrant or nonimmigrant requirements (for whom the state may issue only a temporary driver's license or identification card).
 
Requires the Secretary to assess annually whether an electronic system: (1) exists to allow states to receive reliable verification of date of birth information from a license or card issuing state; and (2) includes measures to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information.
 
Directs the Secretary to enter into the appropriate aviation security screening database information on persons who have been convicted of using a false driver's license at an airport
 

 
Establishes: (1) a State Driver's License Enhancement Grant Program to assist states in conforming to the minimum standards of this Act; and (2) a Vital Records Digitization Grant Program to assist states in digitizing birth records.
 
Authorizes appropriations for: (1) FY2010-FY2015 for the State Driver's License Enhancement Grant Program; and (2) FY2011-FY2013 for the Vital Records Digitization Grant Program.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish a state-to-state one driver, one license demonstration program in part to evaluate the feasibility of establishing an electronic system to verify that an applicant for a driver's license or identification card issued in accordance with this Act by one state does not retain a driver's license or identification card issued in accordance with this Act by another state. Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2012.
 
(Sec. 4) Makes it unlawful, with specified exceptions, for a person knowingly and without lawful authority to: (1) scan the information contained in the machine readable component of a driver's license or identification card; and (2) resell, share, trade, or store such information, or track the use of a driver's license or identification card.
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary, acting through the Chief Privacy Officer and the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer, to report to Congress on the privacy implications of implementing this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-09
text: By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 111-104.
action_date: 2009-12-09
text: By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 111-104.
action_date: 2009-11-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 217.
action_date: 2009-11-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-11-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-07-29
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-07-15
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2009-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6587-6589)
action_date: 2009-06-15
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6585-6587)
action_date: 2009-06-15
text: Introduced in Senate