Border Security
Washington SB5366, "Enhanced Driver's License/Canadian Border Crossing Bill."
This legislation authorizes the State Department of Licensing to work with the Federal Government and the Canadian province of British Columbia for the purposes of implementing a border-crossing initiative by means of an enhanced driver's license.
It also permits the use of biometric or RFID technology in the document assuming that reasonable privacy protections, security measures and safeguards are in place.
This bill passed and it was enacted on March 23, 2007. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State of Washington are currently testing the enhanced driver's license in conjunction with the Western Hemisphere Traveler Initiative (WHTI). According to Secretary Chertoff, DHS would like to test the program in New York and Arizona next.
Arizona HB2473, "Border Technology Fund"
This bill would establish the Border Technology Fund, with $25 million collected from the Federal Department of Homeland Security grants, local grants, and gifts.
The legislation also calls for the purchase or lease of technology systems for border security, allowing the fund to be spent on installation, management and maintenance of such systems.
The legislation recently passed the Appropriations Committee and is awaiting action from the Assembly Rules Committee.
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