One of the most talked about issues this session is the allegations that the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) is collecting personal information, such as social security cards and birth certificates, in a digital database and sharing that information with federal authorities and third-party entities. This action by the DOR is absolutely unacceptable; your private information doesn’t belong in unauthorized hands, particularly those of the federal government or a foreign country.

When Missourians seeking certain documents refused to let the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within DOR scan their personal information, they were denied their permits. These good, law-abiding citizens have seen their liberties violated and are victims of injustice. Citizens who work hard and go through the appropriate steps to obtain their permits shouldn’t have their privacy violated. In response to such a blatantly serious issue, your Missouri Senate issued a subpoena last week, requiring DOR to turn in any documents relating to its implementation of Real ID standards. My colleagues and I are determined to get to the bottom of this issue to ensure your personal information remains private and invisible to intruding eyes.

In 2009, I co-sponsored a bill (HB 361) in the Missouri House, signed by the governor, which prohibits DOR from amending procedures for applying for a driver's license or identification card in order to comply with the goals or standards of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 and from selling any data derived from a person's license or permit application for commercial purposes. The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed due to national security fears, particularly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The act ignited concerns regarding costs and citizens’ privacy, and Missouri took action against the federal government’s agenda with the passage of HB 361. However, we are, unfortunately, dealing with this problem once again.

For the 2013 session, a Senate bill (SB 252), which has been voted “do pass” by its respective committee, has been designed to help protect your personal information. The legislation states that DOR cannot retain copies of source documents presented by individuals applying for or holding driver’s or non-driver's licenses. In addition, DOR cannot use technology to capture digital images of source documents so that the images are capable of being retained in electronic storage in a transferable format.

As a free person of this great nation and a citizen of the state of Missouri, your right to privacy is of the utmost importance, and I will do everything in my power to continue investigating DOR’s unlawful actions. We will not let this issue drop until your personal information is secure. If you have any questions about this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office. Thank you and God bless.