Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Jefferson County Clerk’s Office in Maryland even goes so far as to say “The law places no limits on potential required uses for Real IDs. In time, Real IDs could be required to vote, collect a Social Security check, access Medicaid, open a bank account, go to a game, or buy a gun. The private sector could begin mandating a Real ID to perform countless commercial and financial activities, such as renting a DVD or buying car insurance. Real ID cards would become a necessity, making them de facto national IDs”. This argument ignores the fact that current driver license ID is already very commonly required in many government and private transactions. Real ID may just mean the ID being offered is more likely to be accurate. The sticking point in Kentucky and several other states about Real ID compliance revolves around the “central issuing office” for licenses. Apparently, a simple change to the law involving who is technically the “issuing officer”, the state or the various circuit clerks, may be New Year Greetings! A new perspective: It is time to review our accomplishments and reset our goals at the Clerk’s Office. Please find our 2016 annual report of accomplishments in this edition. As you will see this last year has been very busy in all of our divisions. I recently met with the executive staff and planned divisional goals for the upcoming year and shared them with my entire staff at our annual meeting. My vision as always continues to first and foremost provide VIP service for all our customers. Without the teamwork between employees and divisions none of the goals that we set for 2017 can be accomplished. I want you to know that I want to make all of your experiences with the Clerk’s Office as pleasant and easy as possible. I am always open to suggestions in bringing you quality service. If you have any questions or suggestions as to how the Clerk’s Office can better serve you, please let us know. Bobbie Holsclaw Jefferson County Clerk One of the surprising developments in the 2016 legislative session was that a Real ID law was passed, updating the manner in which Kentucky issues driver’s licenses. The motive was to meet federal standards, but Gov. Bevin inevitably chose to veto the measure due to privacy concerns. The federal Real ID law is important because, coming in 2019, travelers on domestic airplanes or visitors to federal facilities will need a Real ID compliant driver license or another form of federal ID, such as a passport. The Department of Homeland Security declined to give Kentucky an extension of exemption in October 2016. However, the new Trump administration may have other ideas. Kentucky officials will be discussing the matter with the new leaders of DHS and there may be ways the Kentucky driver’s license could comply. It’s a good bet there will be a new Real ID bill in the legislature this year, perhaps as part of a special session, once our state officials have conferred with the new Trump DHS. The way applicants currently get a Kentucky driver license would not change dramatically if we were to become Real ID compliant. The major shift is the way data is collected and shared by all the states participating in the program- something for which there are no current standards or practices in Kentucky. Critics of the law believe it is in reality a National ID card. An ACLU chapter A Message from the Jefferson County Clerk Real ID Coming Soon? By: Frank Friday Esquire Director continued on page 2 Winter 2017