Ariz. Senate Votes to Bar Implementation of Real ID

The Arizona Senate has voted to prohibit Arizona from implementing a federal law requiring states to comply with security guidelines for driver licenses.

The Senate's vote today sends the bill to the state House.

The deadline for states to comply with the Federal Real ID Act is May of next year, though states can get extensions through the end of 2009.

Supporters of the Arizona bill have criticized the federal mandate, saying it's unfunded and would effectively create a national identification card.

At least one senator has voiced concern that non-compliance would mean Arizonans wouldn't be allowed to use their state-issued identification to board commercial airliners.

Maine has already enacted a similar prohibition on implementation of Real -ID, and at least 17 other states are considering similar legislation.