A 23-page bill from the administration that’s intended to bring American Samoa into compliance with the REAL ID Act was introduced in the Senate this week.
Governor Lolo Moliga told Fono leaders in his letter accompanying the proposed legislation that passage of the law will enable American Samoans to use their divers licenses and identifications cards to pass through TSA Security and to access other federal facilities.
He said the Fono’s assistance in passing the bill will help efforts to be fully compliant by December this year and it’s urgent that American Samoa become REAL ID compliant as soon as possible as federal agencies will not accept non REAL ID identification making it difficult for our residents to travel and access federal buildings.
As listeners will recall there were at least two deadlines given to American Samoa to become REAL ID compliant but the deadlines were not met and as a result local drivers licenses are no longer accepted on their own for travel and also access federal facilities.
According to the bill only two types of drivers licenses shall be issued in American Samoa.
A private driver’s license and a limited term driver’s license. The provisional driver’s license will be removed.
A driver’s license would be good for 5 years , and would cost $40… currently its $12 for 3 years.
The limited term driver’s license shall be issued to individuals that meet the requirements for a driver’s license but are unable to prove evidence of lawful presence in the United States.
This card is also good for 5 years but distinguished from the drivers license by a unique design, color or other means. And such a permit will be marked “this permit is not a driver’s license.” The cost is also $40.
Another major change is that the Office of Motor Vehicles will issue ID cards, a function now carried out by the Office of Vital Statistics.
An individual who meets requirements for an ID card but unable to provide evidence of lawful presence in the US would be issued an ID card that displays on the front “This card is not REAL ID compliant.”
The bill sets out requirements for obtaining ID cards, for obtaining the two types of drivers licenses which are provided in the new legislation, as well as fees.
Other than the driver’slicenses and the new limited term driver’s license which are $40, same for the renewals, all other fees remain the same.
The bill provides that 75% of each fee paid is placed in a Revenue Fund for Public Safety for law enforcement costs, maintenance and supplies for production of drivers’ licenses.
It also states that all deiver licenses issued prior to the effective date of this Act, on Jan 1, 2019 would remain valid until their license expires or until one year after this Act is effective.
