States scramble to comply with federal ID law
One of the busiest arteries in the city will be closed to traffic for five days in June as the state widens and reconstructs a portion of Interstate 235.
I-235 at the I-44 interchange will be fully closed to traffic from 8 p.m. on June 2 until 8 p.m. June 7, according to a tentative schedule from the Oklahoma Department
Several states have struggled for years to comply with the REAL ID Act, a 2005 federal law that requires state driver’s licenses and ID cards to have security enhancements and to be issued to people who can prove they are legally in the United States.
With a January deadline looming, lawmakers across the country have been scrambling for legislative fixes so residents can board flights and travel without confusion.
Washington state was the latest to try to bring its system in line with those requirements, as Gov. Jay Inslee signed a measure Tuesday creating a two-tiered licensing system.
Here’s a look at the federal law and the potential impacts:
REAL ID Act
The law was passed by Congress after the 2001 terrorist attacks to strengthen rules for government-sanctioned identification. It sets minimum standards for government-issued identification such as driver’s licenses that are required to enter certain areas in federal buildings or board commercial airplanes. Those standards include requiring applicants to provide proof of identity and legal US residency, and states to use counterfeit-resistant of Transportation.
The closure could end sooner if contractors take advantage of a more than $500,000 incentive to reopen the interstate before June 7. That portion of I-235 handles more than 100,000 vehicles each day, according to ODOT.
“The department is working hard to keep closures to a minimum. However, some closures are security features in the IDs.
Status of states’ compliance
Just 25 states and the District of Columbia are currently in compliance with the federal law, though most of the remaining states and territories have been granted extensions of various dates, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s website. Maine, Minnesota, Missouri and Montana are the only states currently listed as not compliant with the law and without an extension from the federal government. However, Maine’s governor last month signed a REAL ID compliance bill passed by the Legislature, and the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill Wednesday that was signed by Gov. Mark necessary for safety,” said Terri Angier, ODOT spokeswoman. “Additionally, the adjustments are designed to help minimize future closures. We believe this solution will greatly benefit motorists who travel I-235 this summer by keeping two lanes of travel open in each direction as much as possible after this first closure.”
Motorists are advised to Dayton on Thursday.
Alaska, Montana and Missouri this year have all passed bills awaiting their governors’ signatures.
Several other states are considering bills related to REAL ID compliance, including Oregon and Pennsylvania. Governors in Kentucky, Oklahoma and South Carolina also have signed REAL ID compliance bills this year.
Why have some states balked at following the federal rule?
Some liberal and conservative states have objected to the new rules, with concerns ranging from discrimination to worries that law-abiding U.S. citizens could be tracked using the new system.
Others have opposed the U.S. government use alternate routes such as I-35, State Highway 74 (Lake Hefner Parkway) to I-44, I-40, or use Lincoln Boulevard for those accessing the state Capitol area.
Portions of I-235 will close again next year as work is completed on a railroad bridge.
Work on this three-year contract began Jan. 2 with expected completion by 2020. unilaterally setting standards in an area traditionally handled by states.
What lack of compliance means for states
Residents of states that are in compliance have until Oct. 21, 2020, before being required to show the REAL ID compliant identification. Residents of states that aren’t in compliance with REAL ID and don’t have an extension need additional identification for access to some military bases and federal facilities and, starting on Jan. 22, 2018, to board commercial flights.
What Washington state’s new law does
Washington state already offers — but does not mandate — enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs that require proof of U.S. citizenship and are valid under the federal law.
The state also issues standard licenses that don’t comply with the federal rule. Starting in July 2018, those standard licenses will be marked to indicate they are not REAL ID compliant. People will have a choice of which license they want.
Those with the noncompliant licenses will need additional documentation — such as a passport or permanent resident card — to board domestic commercial flights, most likely starting in October 2020.
President Donald Trump has appointed Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant to head the U.S. Fire Administration, the lead federal agency overseeing the nation’s fire prevention and control efforts.
Bryant, 57, has been Oklahoma City’s fire chief for 12 years.
In the new post, he will be responsible for fire training and education and preparing first responders and health care leaders to react to all hazard and terrorism emergencies.
The fire administration also oversees the National Fire Academy, the country’s pre-eminent federal fire training and education institution.
Bryant is past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and the Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association.
He also serves on the boards of directors of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Red Cross and the YMCA of Greater OKC, and chairs the Oklahoma City National Memorial Conscience Committee.