S.C. weighs next step on REAL IDs

COLUMBIA — The state is waiting on a decision by Gov. Mark Sanford on what to do about a federal law that requires residents to get new identification cards or be forced to carry a passport.

Under a deadline put forth by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the state must request an extension for the issuance of REAL IDs by March 31 or South Carolinians would need a passport to enter a federal building or board a plane as of May 11.

Sanford has said he is worried that applying for an extension would put the state on the hook for complying with the federal mandate.

Meanwhile, House and Senate leaders are moving forward with legislation that asks the governor to act quickly and request the extension.

"We cannot allow a bureaucratic slip-up to stop South Carolinians from taking their families on vacation, hinder our economy by stopping business travel or dampen the freedoms we enjoy as Americans," House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said in a statement.

The Senate aims to follow suit, said Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens.

"We're running out of time," Martin said.

The legislative leaders have said they think South Carolina, like other states, can apply for the extension while continuing to reject the REAL ID, which critics say is a half-baked measure by the federal government to make identification more secure while treating Americans like would-be terrorists.

"We're still evaluating our next step," Sanford press secretary Joel Sawyer said.

"Homeland Security has unequivocally said you are locked into the REAL ID program, which the Legislature has said it doesn't want. That's something the governor has said he doesn't want and a whole lot of South Carolinians have said they don't want."

The governor wants to move cautiously so as to avoid the potential headaches the Real ID could mean for residents. The state Department of Motor Vehicles is estimating that the wait time to get a Real ID-compliant driver's license could jump up to two hours and increase costs from $25 to $60.

To be issued a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, residents would need to show the DMV original documents such as a birth certificate.

"If we implement REAL ID, it would be an enormous inconvenience for the people of South Carolina," Sawyer said.

The state also estimates that meeting the requirements of REAL IDs, specially putting in place new document verification systems, would cost South Carolina $16 million in the first year and $10 million every following year.

Federal officials say states are overestimating the cost.

In addition to South Carolina, Maine, Montana and New Hampshire have not yet asked for REAL ID deadline extensions, according to Homeland Security's Web site.

The idea for REAL IDs, mandated in 2005, was a core finding of the 9/11 Commission. The final rules for compliance were issued in January, then altered after South Carolina and more than 30 other states refused to comply with original requirements.

Martin said that South Carolina's hard stance on the REAL ID helped force the federal government to back down from its initial position.

Reach Yvonne Wenger at 803-799-9051 or ywenger@ postandcourier.com.