Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — The Iowa legislature has sent the governor a bill requiring the Iowa DOT to check a federal database if someone seeking a driver’s license or state-issued ID does not arrive with proof they are a U.S. citizen or a legal resident.
Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, a Republican from Fort Dodge, says he and his wife recently provided birth certificates and other documents proving their citizenship when they got their Real ID driver’s licenses from the DOT.
Real IDs have been required for domestic air travel since May of last year.
Senator Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport who opposed the bill, says the federal SAVE system does not contain a comprehensive record of all citizens.
Bill backers say the SAVE system is more than 99 percent accurate, and anyone that’s denied a license because of an error would be able to appeal the decision.
The Iowa DOT will need to make some updates, and the policy is scheduled to take effect March 1st, 2027, if the governor signs the bill into law.
KIWA Staff Photo
