COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — About seven months ago, Ohio joined a small group of states allowing residents to carry their ID on their phones. Since then, use has been limited, prompting Ohio lawmakers to work on expanding the program through a bipartisan effort.
“I think it’s a huge ease-of-use program for the state of Ohio,” said Rep. Thomas Hall, R-Madison Township. Hall is one of the sponsors of House Bill 78, which would permit Ohioans to use a valid digital ID in most situations instead of a physical ID card. Originally, the bill included the use of digital IDs for voting, but that provision was removed Tuesday morning. “We want to make sure that the infrastructure is ready for that and secure for that,” Hall said. Under the proposed bill, residents could use a digital ID when pulled over, for any Bureau of Motor Vehicle purposes, or whenever an ID is required. Despite not needing to carry a physical ID, residents would still need to possess one, even if it is stored away.
“If you want to have a valid credit card, you got to have a valid physical ID as well,” Hall said. “You can still use a digital side of things, but you need to have that valid for security purposes.”
The Ohio Department of Public Safety stated, “Ohio has worked to ensure that digital IDs are secure and convenient and would welcome more options for residents to use them.”
Hall emphasized the broader benefits for Ohioans beyond everyday use. “Ease of use, again, for the truck drivers to make it known that they can use a digital ID,” he said.
However, the Ohio Trucking Association indicated the bill would not significantly impact the industry. Rep. Jack Daniels, R-New Franklin, who owns a trucking company, concurred, saying digital IDs are not a primary concern.
“I don’t care about the phone, that makes no difference to me,” Daniels said. “I don’t see why you need your ID on your phone. I just don’t want to lose the enhanced ID.” Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, another sponsor of the bill, clarified that the intent is not to eliminate enhanced ID usage. While enhanced IDs, which allow border crossing without a passport, are technically legal in Ohio, the federal government has yet to extend their use to Ohio’s IDs. The bill had its first hearing Tuesday and is expected to take some time before passing.