Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano was no fan of the Real ID program when she was Arizona governor. Now as a key player in the Obama administration, she is looking for some "realistic" options to help states implement that law.

The Real ID law sets federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses--in the future these will be required to board airplanes. Arizona and more than a dozen states have passed legislation prohibiting the implementation of Real ID after complaining that the timelines, the costs and the requirements mandated by law are unrealistic.

Specifically, Napolitano said she is looking at Washington State's modified version of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative program. With this program the state issues security-enhanced driver's licenses that are accepted for crossing the state's border into Canada.

Napolitano said governors need options to make identification more secure, but not necessarily within the rules of Real ID. "Enhanced driver's licenses give confidence that the person holding the card is the person who is supposed to be holding the card, and it's less elaborate than Real ID," Napolitano said.

The Real ID program requires the states to implement 18 security standards as well as mandating the process for how licenses are issued.

For more on Real ID:
- check out this WashingtonTimes.com article
 
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