LANSING — Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has urged swift approval of legislation that eases the identification burden on residents traveling to Canada, and also allows those who are in the U.S. legally but temporarily to apply for a driver’s license or ID card.

“Protecting our borders is critical in this post-911 world,” Land told the Senate Transportation Committee. “Ensuring the integrity of state-issued documents is an important step toward that goal. However, we can and must implement these safeguards in a reasonable manner. This legislation provides travelers with greater convenience, protects our economy and recognizes the needs of residents who are here legally but are not permanent residents. Most important, it does so without sacrificing the safety of our great state and nation. I encourage the Legislature to pass these measures without delay.”

The pending legislation is based on Land’s proposal to enhance driver’s license and ID card security. Land said that prompt action is needed due to recent developments. Michigan law now bars legal residents who are in the country on student and work visas from obtaining a driver’s license or ID card. Land wants the law changed to avoid unintended consequences for job providers and legal but temporary residents.

In addition, key U.S. Department of Homeland Security rules take effect today. Those who travel to Canada and Mexico by land now must show a passport or a photo ID such as a driver’s license, as well as proof of citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate, at border crossings. Homeland Security no longer accepts oral declarations of citizenship at the border and restricts the types of ID documents that can be used. Land wants to preserve Michigan’s $70 billion-a-year trade relationship with Canada and spare travelers the inconvenience of having to provide multiple documents at the border.

Land’s initiative, unveiled in December 2007, will alleviate the burdens on travelers and temporary residents by:

Creating an upgraded “standard” driver’s license and ID card. The new documents will have added security features to prevent fraud. They will be available to Michigan residents and those who are in the U.S. legally but temporarily. The upgraded license and ID also can be used by residents for domestic air travel when the federal REAL ID Act takes effect. Without these upgraded documents, all residents will need a passport to board even domestic flights.

Creating an optional “enhanced” driver’s license and ID card that is REAL ID-compliant and can be used for travel to and from Canada and other Western Hemisphere countries under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Only Michigan residents who also are U.S. citizens will be eligible. Land first introduced the concept of an enhanced license in 2005 as a way to prevent the new federal requirements from negatively impacting commerce and inconveniencing residents who visit Canada.

Bills that will upgrade Michigan’s “standard” license are House Bills 5518 and 5519 and Senate Bills 962 and 963. Bills creating the optional “enhanced” license are HB 5535 – 5537 and SB 964 – 966.

Information on Land’s initiative is titled “The Drive for a Safer Michigan.”