Edwards Backing REAL ID Bill Advanced To Senate Floor

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards is seeking to remove a state law that keeps Louisiana  from issuing driver's licenses that comply with the security measures of the federal REAL ID law.

The Senate Transportation Committee advanced the legislation Tuesday to the full Senate without objection.

The Democratic governor's position is a reversal from his Republican predecessor, Bobby Jindal, who vetoed a similar bill in 2014 amid privacy concerns from conservative groups. Similar concerns were raised Tuesday.

Lawmakers say they worry continued refusal to comply with REAL ID law could force Louisiana  residents to need a passport or other federal documents to board domestic flights starting in 2018.

Under the proposal by Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Dorsey Colomb, Louisiana  residents would get to individually decide if they want REAL ID-compliant licenses.

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