Letter to Nacy Stiles, State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee of New Hampshire - Support for New Identification Cards

Letter

Dear Madam Chair and members of the Senate Finance Committee:

I write in support of Senate Bill 262, relative to the form of drivers' licenses and identification cards. Senate Bill 262 will allow New Hampshire residents to choose whether to obtain a driver's license or other identification card that will be accepted for entrance into federally secure facilities, such as the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, federal buildings, and -- sometime in 2016 -- for travel on airplanes. Under this legislation, New Hampshire residents will also remain free to choose not to obtain such a license and will still receive a driver's license acceptable for state use.

Without this legislation, New Hampshire residents would be required to obtain a federal passport in order to enter secure facilities or to travel. Right now, about two-thirds of Americans do not have passports. Requiring our citizens to obtain passports for travel will be a costly -- and time-consuming -- burden for many families. Without the opportunity to make their own choice, citizens may find themselves blocked from travel without warning -- whether for a business trip, a vacation or a family emergency. Lack of access to federally accepted identification could also hurt our businesses whose employees must travel to meet clients in other states. It may also make us less attractive to new businesses that are dependent on travel.

As someone who voted for the initial legislation on this issue in 2007, I am pleased that the federal government has heard and responded to the concerns expressed at the time. New Hampshire retains control of its data and is not required to provide drivers' license information to a national database. In addition, the drivers' licenses are not required to include radio frequency identification devices.

Given the potential consequences for our residents and our businesses, I believe it is important that we allow all our residents to make their own individual choices about whether or not to obtain a federally accepted driver's license. This legislation would make that possible. Thank you for your consideration.

With every good wish,

Margaret Wood Hassan
Governor

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