Bill > HB1445

This bill requires the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles to issue enhanced driver's licenses and Real ID compliant identification cards for U.S. citizens residing in the state, specifically for use as documentation when entering the United States via land or sea ports. The bill changes existing law by replacing "may" with "shall" in two key sections, mandating that the department enter into a memorandum of understanding with federal agencies to develop enhanced identification documents that meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative standards. Real ID is a federal law (Public Law 109-13) establishing minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, while the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a program developed by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to standardize documentation requirements for cross-border travel. The bill does not mandate REAL ID for all driver's licenses, only for identification cards, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The implementation is estimated to cost approximately $563,000, covering card design, system changes, and federal testing, with potential additional revenue from new license applications. The Department of Safety notes that the implementation timeline might be challenging and the actual adoption rate is uncertain.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1958&inflect=2