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Maine Enacts Real ID Statute

AUGUSTA (AP) -- In January, Maine lawmakers led a national revolt against the Real ID law by passing a resolution objecting to the 2005 act of Congress.

Now, the Maine Legislature's gone a step further by passing a bill prohibiting the state from implementing Real ID . The House and Senate both gave the bill final approval yesterday and it awaits the signature of Governor Baldacci.

The governor opposes Real ID and a spokesman says Baldacci will sign the bill barring the state from joining it.

The program sets a national standard for driver's licenses and requires states to link their record-keeping systems to national databases.

Opponents say it would create a national identity card system. Those cards would be valuable to identity thieves. Opponents also see the cards as an invasion of privacy.

The law's supporters say Real ID is needed to prevent terrorists and illegal immigrants from getting fake identification cards.

More than a dozen states have followed Maine's lead with resolutions or statutory prohibitions on Real ID.

The program sets a national standard for driver's licenses and requires states to link their record-keeping systems to national databases.

Opponents say it would create a national identity card system. Those cards would be valuable to identity thieves. Opponents also see the cards as an invasion of privacy.