No decision yet on La. passport requirement for domestic flights

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said “absolutely nothing” this week on whether Louisiana will receive an extension—or some other compromise—on becoming compliant with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, says Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Stephen Campbell, who was expecting a decision by today. The law is poised to take effect Jan. 14 and could mean Louisiana residents will need a passport to fly within the United States. Campbell says he was told last week that Homeland Security would get back to him this week on its decision regarding whether state-issued driver’s licenses will continue to be valid identification cards for flying domestically and entering federal buildings. “The governor is waiting for a response,” says Campbell, noting even his boss, Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Michael Edmonson, is in contact with the feds seeking answers. In an email, Homeland Security spokeswoman Marsha Catron says, “Secure driver’s licenses and identification documents are a vital component of a holistic national security strategy,” but did not address any potential extension or compromise for any states that are not compliant with the new regulations by the deadline. “Law enforcement must be able to rely on government-issued identification documents and know that the bearer of such a document is who he or she claims to be,” Catron says. By December 2014, all individuals under the age of 50 must have a REAL ID driver’s license or identification document for official purposes; by December 2017, all individuals must meet those requirements for the same purposes, Catron says. —Adam Pearson