HELENA — Montana residents may not need to use passports to board domestic flights next year, after all.
The state House and Senate on Wednesday passed a measure to give residents the option to buy a driver’s license or identification card that complies with the federal Real ID Act.
Federal officials notified the state it would not be granted any more delays to comply with the 2005 anti-terrorism law.
That means state-issued driver’s licenses would not be accepted at federal facilities and, starting in 2018, as identification to board flights.
The legislation authorizes the state Department of Justice to borrow up to $4.6 million to issue Real ID-compliant cards to those who want them.
Residents could choose to keep their regular licenses and use passports to board flights.
The bill now goes to Gov. Steve Bullock.