Texas House Bill HCR180

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Introduced: 4/16/09
• Refer: 4/21/09

Caption

Expressing the intention of the Texas Legislature not to implement the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

Impact

If enacted, the resolution would reaffirm Texas's stance against the adoption of a federally standardized ID system, maintaining the state's autonomy over its identification processes. This decision reflects ongoing legislative discussions about the implications of federal mandates on state governance and budgets. By rejecting the REAL ID Act, Texas aims to avoid an increase in state spending without legislative support, thus preserving fiscal resources for other essential services that may be more critically needed.

Summary

HCR180 is a concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas Legislature expressing the intention of the state to refuse to implement the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. The REAL ID Act requires all states to provide standardized identification documents that meet federal guidelines, effectively imposing an unfunded mandate on state governments. The introductory language of the resolution outlines the extensive financial implications of implementing the Act, estimating initial costs at approximately $9.9 billion, with inadequate federal funding to support these expenses. The state positions itself against the Act, citing numerous concerns regarding both costs and privacy.

Contention

The bill raises notable contention regarding privacy and data security. Opponents of the REAL ID Act have voiced concerns that the Act would necessitate the creation of integrated statewide databases accessible by federal authorities, without clear standards or controls established to prevent data breaches. Legislators argue this could inadvertently create vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of identity theft rather than improving national security as intended. Furthermore, the resolution aligns with a broader national trend, as multiple states continue to question federal overreach and its implications for local governance.