Inside This Issue...

On March 28, the House Homeland Security Committee approved a Homeland Security Department reauthorization bill (HR 1684) that would end the department’s personnel system. The bill would authorize $40 billion for the Department of Homeland Security and will reach the House floor before consideration of the Homeland Security appropriations bill. The bill would also create a new grant program in order for states to issue secure driver's licenses and identification cards in accordance with Real ID. The bill contains an amendment that would strike a section of the 2002 law creating the Homeland Security Department (PL 107-296) that gives the Homeland Security secretary flexibility to create a unique personnel system for the department. Known as MaxHR, the personnel system was already partially struck down by a June 2006 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

On March 26, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced awards honoring 15 individuals and groups for their achievements in highway safety. Presented during a luncheon at the 25th Annual Lifesavers conference by NHTSA Administrator Nicole R. Nason, the awards recognized individuals for their work to reduce traffic deaths and injuries. Kevin O'Brien, director of the New York Motor Carrier and Driver Safety Services and active AAMVA member, was recognized for his leadership to prevent unsafe drivers from obtaining a valid driver's license. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White was also recognized for his leadership to enhance the Illinois graduated driver licensing program and combat teen driving fatalities and injuries. More than 2,300 participants attended year’s three-day Lifesavers conference, which focused on common-sense solutions to critical highway safety issues. For specifics on the 15 individuals and organizations that received awards, see NHTSA's Web site.

AAMVA has posted "Model Legislation" on behalf of the Altered Height Working Group. Procedure calls for this "Model Legislation" to be posted for comment for 30 days, with a weekly reminder during that 30 days. All comments should be directed to Selden Fritschner before April 9, 2007. Comments will then be accumulated, reviewed and forwarded to the Board of Directors for approval. See the Explanation of Opportunity on AAMVA's Web site.

In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes, AAMVA and NHTSA held a meeting of the Motorcycle Technical Working Group (MTWG) on March 19-20, 2007. The focus of the group is to develop guidelines to assist government, non-government agencies and rider education programs to work together to reduce the number of motorcycle operator crashes. The working group is developing a document that will provide guidelines as to how to improve the motorcycle licensing process, improve interagency cooperation, increased enforcement and public awareness.  NHTSA with AAMVA is looking to release the 2007 Guidelines for Motorcycle Operator Licensing this May. For more information on this subject contact Denise Hanchulak, AAMVA Programs Division, at dhanchulak@aamva.org.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has voted unanimously to launch a study focused on voter identification laws. The decision comes after EAC concluded that initial research it received in a report, which focused on only one election cycle, was not sufficient to draw any conclusions. The report and the research, conducted by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, through its Eagleton Institute of Politics, are available at www.eac.gov. The Commission decided not to adopt the report. EAC's strategy for moving forward is based upon an examination of the initial research and the testimony and discussion about this research project at the Commission's Feb. 8, 2007 public meeting. EAC's comprehensive research approach will include: Conducting an ongoing state-by-state review, reporting and tracking of voter identification requirements; Establishing a baseline of information that will include factors that may affect or influence Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP) voter participation; Convening a working group of advocates, academics, research methodologists and election officials to discuss EAC's next study of voter identification; Studying how voter identification provisions that have been in place for two or more federal elections have impacted voter turnout, voter registration figures, and fraud; and Publishing a series of best practice case studies that detail a particular state's or jurisdiction's experiences with educating poll workers and voters about various voter identification requirements.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has named James F. Ports, Jr. Deputy Administrator. Most recently, Ports served as the Deputy Secretary for Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT). He was responsible for overseeing the 9,200-employee department, which had an annual budget of $3.69 billion dollars to operate the BWI/Thurgood Marshall and Martin State Airports, Maryland’s Port of Baltimore, State Highway Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, and the Maryland Transit Administration. Previously, Ports was the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the MDOT. Before joining MDOT he served for 12 years in the Maryland General Assembly as a member of the House of Delegates. During that time, Ports also worked for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. The Baltimore native is a former Sergeant in the Marine Corps, and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) authorized over $284 billion for surface transportation-related projects. Section 1101 (a) (21) of SAFETEA-LU authorized a total of $127,100,000 in contract authority funding derived from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 to further enhance compliance of motor fuel and highway use taxes. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Fuel Tax Evasion Program is seeking applications for the FY 2007 funding cycle for Intergovernmental Enforcement Efforts. The U.S. DOT has set aside $1 million per fiscal year 2006 through 2009 to fund Fuel Tax Evasion Intergovernmental Enforcement Efforts. In FY 2006, grants were given to eight states ranging from $100,000 to $250,000. The deadline for FY 2007 applications is June 8, 2007. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by clicking on “How to apply." The federal share payable is 100 percent. Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative proposals to reduce fuel tax evasion and increase collaboration and coordination among several public agencies, including federal agencies. Research and training proposals are also eligible.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made a modification to a previous grants notice regarding the Value Pricing Pilot Program. This synopsis modification is to notify applicants that U.S. DOT has posted the following two documents under this funding opportunity: (1) Notice of April 4 Webcast on Congestion Pricing and Urban Partnership Agreements; and (2) Two-Page summary of Urban Partnership Agreements. U.S. DOT will post, on or about March 30, a list of Questions and Answers regarding this funding opportunity and the Urban Partnership Agreements program.

In a recent article on the front page of the FBI Web site, both Department of Justice Bureaus offered support for full implementation of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). Providing an explanation of "VIN Cloning," the FBI indicated one of the most effective ways to combat this vehicle fraud is to fully implement the NMVTIS System. The article mentions how the FBI and BJA are working hand-in-hand with AAMVA to not only encourage, but also assist every U.S. jurisdictional member to bring NMVTIS online. AAMVA has worked closely with the FBI in recent months to enhance the NMVTIS system to be of greater assistance to law enforcement in preventing cloning, reducing registration and title fraud at the DMV counter, and assisting law enforcement all over the world to reduce organized crime auto theft and the use of cloned/imported and exported vehicles in terrorism.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites key state and local stakeholders to participate in a private and secure webinar on Real ID. Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and the Real ID Office want to get your feedback and input regarding the proposed rule for Real ID. The webinar will take place this Thursday, April 12 from 4 pm to 6 pm EDT via the Internet. You can log on from any computer across the country for the private, live webcast; details on telephone access will follow.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made a modification to a previous grants notice on Intelligent Transportation Systems Operational Testing to Mitigate Congestion. This synopsis modification is to notify applicants that U.S. DOT has posted the following two documents under this funding opportunity: (1) Notice of April 4 Webcast on Congestion Pricing and Urban Partnership Agreements; and (2) Two-Page summary of Urban Partnership Agreements. Also, U.S. DOT will post, on or about March 30, a list of Questions and Answers regarding this funding opportunity and the Urban Partnership Agreements program.

In rule document E7-5487 beginning on page 14049 in the issue of Monday, March 26, 2007, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) makes the following correction: § 1572.103 [Corrected]. On page 14050, in the third column, in the first paragraph, in the third line, "(b)(2)(xii)" should read "(b)(2)(xiii)." This ruling was published in the Federal Register regarding the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) implementation in the maritime sector and for use of a hazardous materials endorsement on a Commercial Driver's License.

The AAMVA CIO Outreach conference calls have proven beneficial in addressing IT issues relevant to the CIOs and technology staff of the DMVs (in both the U.S. and Canada) and to their day-to-day jobs. Last month’s conference call included the first in a series of "Spotlight on Jurisdiction" topics. AAMVA wishes to extend a special thanks to Tim Blevins, CIO Kansas Department of Revenue, for kicking off this series. The CIO Outreach calls are scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month from 2 to 3:30 pm Eastern Time. A copy of the draft agendas and minutes from previous meetings is available on AAMVA's Web site. Please address any questions on the CIO Outreach calls to Greg Sensiba at gsensiba@aamva.org or (703) 908-2822.