Inside This Issue...

Last week, AAMVA published a document that provides jurisdictions with guidance on the use of the AAMVA OVD. The AAMVA OVD is the common security element called for in the AAMVA Card Design Specifications. In recent weeks, AAMVA has signed contracts with two different hologram manufacturers to produce the AAMVA OVD under license. The new Guidelines for the Use of the AAMVA OVD provide guidance for jurisdictions in establishing programs for using the AAMVA OVD. For questions and comments regarding these guidelines, please contact Rich Carter at rcarter@aamva.org or (703) 908-8296.

The House Judiciary Committee had approved a bill (HR 2840) that would require federal agencies to produce "privacy impact" analyses when they publish notices of proposed regulations and when the final rules are published. The measure would allow agency heads to waive the requirement for privacy impact statements for national security reasons and to prevent the disclosure of classified information that would harm a legal investigation. An amendment adopted by voice vote would require agencies seeking waivers to provide classified privacy reports to the judiciary committees. A second amendment would require the privacy impact assessment to include analysis of the extent to which the proposed rule change provides for written notification to individuals within 14 days of a security breach.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department have said that they will meet the Jan. 1, 2008 deadline for supplying secure ID cards to U.S. citizens crossing the border. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative portion of the 2004 intelligence overhaul law states that travelers must carry a passport or a passport equivalent by that deadline. However, the Senate's immigration overhaul legislation (S 2611) would extend the 2008 deadline by 17 months (until June 1, 2009). In addition, a Government Accountability Office report this month found that meeting the 2008 deadline "appears in jeopardy."

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are jointly issuing a document which proposes the revision of regulations governing the development of metropolitan transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas, state transportation plans and programs, and the regulations for Congestion Management Systems, and invites public comment. This proposed revision results from the recent passage of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which also incorporates changes initiated in its predecessor legislation, the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and generally would make the regulations consistent with current statutory requirements. Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding all facets of this proposal. Comments must be received on or before Sept. 7, 2006. Mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, submit electronically at http://dms.dot.gov, or fax comments to (202) 493-2251. Alternatively, comments may be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. All comments should include docket number FHWA-2005-22986.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule that implements Subtitle G of Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002—the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (the SAFETY Act), which provides critical incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by providing liability protections for providers of “qualified anti-terrorism technologies.” The final rule amends the interim rule to incorporate changes resulting from the comments. The rule is effective July 10, 2006. You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket number USCG-2003-15425 or RIN 1601-AA15, to the Docket Management Facility at the Department of Transportation by fax at (202) 493-2251 at or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.

The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard have announced open teleconference meetings for the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) to discuss and prepare comments to the docket on the joint Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) and Coast Guard’s Transportation Worker’s Identification Credential (TWIC) proposed rule and on the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) proposed rule. MERPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine. The teleconference calls will take place on Tuesday, June 20, 2006, from 12 pm until 3 pm, and on Thursday, June 29, 2006, from 12 pm until 3 pm. Members of the public may participate by dialing 1-202-366-3920, pass code 6934 on June 20, and by dialing 1-202-366-3920, pass code 7124 on June 29. Public participation is welcomed; however, the number of teleconference lines is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members of the public may also participate by coming to Room 1208, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001.

The Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) is holding a public meeting that will provide an overview of the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement requirements set forth under section 4305 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users and the administrative functioning of the UCR Board. The meeting is being held on June 13, 2006 from 10:15 am to 11:30 am in conjunction with the National Conference of State Transportation Specialists Annual Conference, at the Ross Bridge Resort, 4000 Grand Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama 35226. For more information, contact William Quade at (202) 366-2172 or Bryan Price at (412) 395-4816.

On Friday, June 9, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held a hearing in Washington, D.C. on Auto Insurance Verification and Enforcement Systems. The hearing reviewed the types of auto insurance verification and enforcement systems that exist or are contemplated, with the objective to determine how best to proceed in its efforts to reduce the number of uninsured motorists. AAMVA provided written testimony for the hearing that reviewed our joint efforts with the Insurance Industry Committee on Motor Vehicle Administration (IICMVA) to develop standards for an online insurance verification system. With help from responses to a recent mini-survey sent to AAMVA members interested in Financial Responsibility issues, the testimony explored several other measures that may be effective in combating the uninsured motorist problem. For more information please contact Lori Cohen at lcohen@aamva.org.

AAMVA has signed a contract licensing Hologram Industries to manufacture the AAMVA OVD (Optical Variable Device), referred to in the AAMVA DL/ID Card Design Specification as the "common security element." Hologram Industries is the second firm licensed to manufacture the AAMVA OVD in recent weeks. They are ready to begin working with jurisdictions and their card system integrators on determining the best method to apply the OVD on DL/ID cards, and they expect to begin shipment of product before the end of the year. If you have questions concerning the AAMVA OVD program, please contact Rich Carter at rcarter@aamva.org or (703) 908-8296. The point of contact at Hologram Industries is Udo Reinert at udo.reinert@hologram-industries.de.

In an effort to try to keep the membership as up to date as possible, AAMVA has put together a document with an update on the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR). We are trying to help identify possible scenarios that may occur over the next few months and issues to be considered. The document (SSRS – UCR Transition Paper June 7, 2006) is available on the AAMVA Web site. We will work to stay on top of any developments on the UCR and any possible extension of the SSRS and will issue updates as they become available. Additional information on the UCR and other MCS programs may also be found on the AAMVA Web site. For more information, contact Tim Adams, program director for AAMVA MCS, at (502) 845-0398 or Tadams@aamva.org.

AAMVA has added a CIO Roundtable to the Region IV Conference program for Wednesday, June 28 from 4 to 5 pm. This time will be spent in open forum discussing issues of concern and interest to the CIOs in Region IV. Come prepared to share your successes and challenges. For more information, contact Philippe Guiot, AAMVA CIO, at pguiot@aamva.org

AAMVA is conducting a needs assessment related to customer service delivery. Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey so that we may learn how we can better serve the needs of the AAMVA community. The survey closes June 14, 2006. Please contact Member and Conference Services at info@aamva.org if you need a user ID and password. AAMVA appreciates your input!

AAMVA has partnered with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a study to investigate crash incidence for suspended and revoked drivers in the United States. Please take a few minutes to respond to this survey. Your responses will be used to help the research team better understand the current state policies and practices related to license suspension and to document current processes for recording, archiving and retrieving driver record data. The responses to this survey will also help in the selection of the four to six case-study states to be investigated as part of this study. Your participation will help to ensure the success of this important research. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 

Please share information with your fellow jurisdictions by responding to these surveys. Contact Member and Conference Services at info@aamva.org if you need a user ID and password.
Missouri - Federal Conviction Reporting Requirements for CDL   (Ends 6/23/2006)
Oklahoma - Boat Registration  (Ends 6/16/06)
New Jersey - Certificate of Ownership “Title in Hand”  (Ends 6/20/06)
Maryland - Driver's Ed and Deaf/Hearing Impaired Students  (Ends 7/31/06)