Lay Initiative Update (Travel Preparedness) Faye Combs & Tamika Jones

Introduction To: Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District; Mrs. Alexia B. Fugh, Episcopal Supervisor; Dr. Willie Glover, Connectional Lay President; Connectional Officers; Mr. Simeon Rhoden, President, Fifth Episcopal District Lay Organization; Fifth District Lay Officers; Presiding Elders; Pastors; Clergy; Delegates; Visitors and Friends The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.  The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, no sooner than 2016, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.  The AME Church is a connectional church. Most of us attending this convention have traveled or will travel to various church conferences and conventions. In order to continue to travel in the future, we must become compliant with the new travel laws.

Committee Assignment/Activities Recommendations This committee was tasked by President Rhoden to do the following: Find out what states in the Fifth Episcopal District are complaint with the REAL ID ACT. Find out the states that have extensions for REAL ID enforcement, allowing Federal agencies to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards. Find out the states that are NOT in compliance with the REAL ID Act and Federal agencies. Find out the implementation deadline date that allows residents to still use state issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Find out various avenues on how to apply for a passport. We encourage you to check the REAL ID compliance status of your state on the DHS website and review TSA’s list of acceptable forms of identification.  Check with your state’s licensing agency about how to acquire a REAL ID-compliant identification card. We encourage all travelers to Apply Early for a passport well ahead of planned travel or REAL ID implementation dates. (Apply between September and December for shorter processing times.) Apply for your passport well ahead of planned travel! Visit www.dhs.gov/REALID or www.travel.state.gov for more information. Pertinent Issues Discussed, Findings, Conclusion, Etc. Milestone/Implementation Dates The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that REAL ID-compliant identification, such as a driver's license from a REAL ID-compliant state or a passport, will not be required to fly domestically until January 22, 2018. Apply for your passport ASAP!!  Washington, Oregon, California and Alaska have an extension for REAL ID enforcement, allowing federal agencies to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards until October 10, 2017. Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona and Hawaii are complaint with the READ ID Act. Federal agencies may accept driver’s licenses and identification cards from these states. Montana and Missouri are NOT in compliance and Federal agencies may NOT accept driver’s licenses and Identification cards from these states. Committee Participants Faye Combs Tamika Jones 3