REAL ID passes House 90-11

A House bill that would repeal a 2008 ban on the state complying with the federal REAL ID Act was approved, 90-11, Wednesday following a two-hour debate. It now moves to the Senate for consideration.
House Bill 702, sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Harris, D- New Orleans, would give Louisianans the option of getting a REAL ID, in addition to a Louisiana drivers license.
On Jan. 22, 2018, Americans must have a more secure REAL ID or a passport to board a plane.
Initially, the bill was written to allow people the option of combining their Louisiana drivers’ license and REAL-ID into a single photo identification. But a floor amendment brought by Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Bossier City, removed that option.
Johnson cited concerns over the possibility of personal information getting in the hands of the federal government, even if one did not choose for their license to be REAL ID compliant. Harris opposed the amendment.
Under the House-approved bill, obtaining Louisiana drivers-licenses and REAL-ID would be separate undertakings.
Rep. Terry Landry, D- New Iberia, and others expressed frustration that it would require people to carry around multiple IDs.
Still, most of the opposition to the amendment ended up voting for the bill that contained it.
Harris stressed to House colleagues that obtaining a REAL ID is not required under this proposal. “Not only is the bill optional, it’s optional optional optional.”