HELENA - It corrects a mistake made by the U.S. Congress. That word Tuesday from supporters of a bill being discussed by Montana Senators to deny implementation of the Real I.D. Act.
Supporters of House Bill 287 say creating the national database will increase the risk of identity theft, cost states an incredible amount of money and violate citizens' basic right to privacy.
Senate Lane Larson, (D) Billings, who is carrying the House bill thought the Senate, said, "What we're attempting to do is send a message to the U.S. government and to our delegation that we are opposed to the Real I.D. bill that they passed and we want to see something else come through. If not something else, completely defeat it."
Senate Rick Laible, (R) Darby, disagreed. "Yeah, it's all well and good to make a statement to the federal government, 'we don't like what they did.' They don't have to obey it and we as a state, particularly the citizens of our state, could be the ones who get punished."
Opponents say while the bill may raise a valid point, they say if the state refuses to go along with the federal provisions, it will be Montana citizens who will no longer be able to enter federal buildings or apply for federal services without the identification.