OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma's public safety commissioner is warning lawmakers that residents may be unable to board a commercial aircraft or enter a federal building using a state driver's license after next year unless legislation is passed to bring the state into compliance with federal law.
During a meeting with state legislators on Wednesday, Commissioner Michael Thompson discussed the potential ramifications of Oklahoma not complying with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. The law was passed to improve the reliability of state-issued identification cards and prevent terrorists from obtaining bogus IDs.
But several conservative activists raised concerns at Wednesday's meeting that the REAL ID Act is an overreach by the federal government and subjects Oklahomans to more government control.
Oklahoma currently has a federal exemption until October 2016.