Govwatch

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9141 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 9141

      To establish a grant program to assist States in providing 
  identification cards compliant with Federal standards at no cost to 
                        low-income individuals.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 4, 2026

  Mrs. Fedorchak (for herself and Ms. Lee of Florida) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and 
                           Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
      To establish a grant program to assist States in providing 
  identification cards compliant with Federal standards at no cost to 
                        low-income individuals.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``SAVE America Through REAL ID Act''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to ensure that all eligible individuals, 
regardless of income, have access to identification documents that meet 
Federal election standards by supporting State efforts to eliminate 
financial barriers to obtaining such identification.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Low-income individual.--The term ``low-income 
        individual'' means an individual whose household income is not 
        more than 200 percent of the Federal poverty level, or who 
        participates in a means-tested public assistance program, as 
        determined by the State.
            (2) Real id-compliant identification.--The term ``REAL ID-
        compliant identification'' means a driver's license or 
        identification card issued by a State that meets the 
        requirements of Federal law for official purposes.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the 50 States, 
        the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and any territory or 
        possession of the United States.

SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a grant program to 
provide funds to States to cover the costs associated with issuing REAL 
ID-compliant identification at no cost to low-income individuals.
    (b) Eligible Uses of Funds.--A State receiving a grant under this 
section may use funds to--
            (1) waive application and issuance fees for eligible 
        individuals;
            (2) cover administrative costs associated with processing 
        applications;
            (3) conduct nonpartisan public awareness activities 
        directly related to REAL ID eligibility and application 
        procedures;
            (4) provide mobile or remote services to obtain REAL ID's 
        in underserved areas; and
            (5) assist applicants in obtaining required supporting 
        documentation.

SEC. 5. STATE APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Application Required.--To receive a grant under this Act, a 
State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require.
    (b) Contents.--Each application shall include--
            (1) a description of how the State will identify and verify 
        eligible individuals;
            (2) a plan to eliminate fees for such individuals;
            (3) outreach strategies to promote broad awareness; and
            (4) assurances of compliance with applicable Federal and 
        State privacy and security laws.

SEC. 6. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.

    (a) Formula.--The Secretary shall allocate funds to States based 
on--
            (1) the population of low-income individuals in the State; 
        and
            (2) the demonstrated need for increased access to compliant 
        identification.
    (b) Minimum Allocation.--Each State receiving a grant shall receive 
not less than a minimum allocation, as determined by the Secretary.

SEC. 7. REPORTING AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) State Reports.--Each State receiving funds shall annually 
submit to the Secretary a report detailing--
            (1) the number of identification cards issued at no cost;
            (2) demographic data, as permitted by law;
            (3) outreach activities conducted; and
            (4) expenditures of grant funds.
    (b) Federal Report.--The Secretary shall submit to Congress an 
annual report summarizing program outcomes and effectiveness.
    (c) Audits.--Funds provided under this Act shall be subject to 
audit by appropriate Federal oversight entities.

SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

SEC. 9. RULEMAKING.

    The Secretary may promulgate such regulations as are necessary to 
carry out this Act.
                                 <all>
SAVE America Through REAL ID Act

Full Text
