REAL ID and The Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) are two examples of how the Federal government is trying to develop standards for identification cards. The REAL ID addresses standards to be enforced by all the states in the issuing of drivers licenses. I don't know how states can do it, but 18 have refused to implement the provisions. As noted in Governing Magazine, Remember REAL ID it looks unlikely that the Feds will use sledge hammer ramifications to ensure compliance.
Then there is the "troubled" TWIC card program. It like REAL ID has been delayed time and again. Now the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is providing a modification to address the costs and hassles associated with transportation workers renewing their TWIC cards. See the new Extended Expiration Date (EDD) concept that cuts costs and makes the renewal less troublesome for the million plus workers who must maintain a TWIC based on their employment in the transportation industry.
The final rule making by the Coast Guard on biometric readers for TWIC has been delayed several times. Now it is due out in early 2013 (after the elections are over) and who knows what it will say. Ports and terminal operators are leery of investing funding in these systems given the lack of implementation over the years.
Then there is the fact that the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) has been cut to around 25% of what it was during the early years of the grant program.
The EDD announcement was a surprise to many folks in the field. Now people will scramble to understand what that means and I question if TSA can implement a national program in such a short period of time given their long term inability to have a smooth launch of TWIC over the years. We'll see!
