A repeal packet with draft bill was handed to the following legislators prior to session at several legislative delegations, or during the Federal Affairs Subcommittee REAL ID hearing. Not one did anything with it, or asked for any follow-up information other than as noted for Reps. Gaetz & Plakon:

House- 3 Democrats and 3 Republicans: It isn't a partisan issue

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R)

Rep. Marti Coley (R)

Rep. Alan Williams (D)

Rep. Michelle Vasilinda (D)

Rep. Leonard Bembry (D)

Rep. Elizabeth Porter (R)

The entire Federal Affairs Subcommittee, who heard testimony about REAL ID on February 24, 2011:

Rep. Scott Plakon (R)

Rep. Peter Nehr (R)

Rep. Daphne Campbell (D)

Rep. Joseph Abruzzo (D)

Rep. Michael Bileca (R)

Rep. Matthew Caldwell (R)

Rep. Jose Diaz (R)

Rep. Luis Garcia (D)

Rep. Matt Hudson (R)

Rep. George Moraitis (R)

Rep. Elizabeth Porter (R)

Rep. Eleaine Schwartz (D) Note- the only legislator to vote against REAL ID in 2008

Rep. Jimmie Smith (R)

Rep. Geraldine Thompson (D)

Comments-

Rep. Campbell said during the hearing she had thousands of emails from people that had problems due to REAL ID and could not work. She wanted to do something about it. I spoke to her after the hearing, and contacted her office several times. I was placed on her email list announcing her office openings. Rep. Campbell took no action on REAL ID.

When I spoke to Rep. Gaetz, he was fearful that our highway funds would be cut if we repealed it. I investigated and found this had been tried twice in Congress under both D and R leaders, and both times it failed (this info is detailed on our Myths tab above). This information was emailed to Rep. Gaetz within 24 hours after he brought it up. Rep. Gaetz took no action on REAL ID.

Rep. Plakon suggested I try and offer an amendment with a couple of the worst aspects of REAL ID. This information was sent to his office on March 21, 2011, with a follow-up visit to his office a few days later.Rep. Plakon did nothing with it.

Senate

Sen. Charles Dean (R)

Sen. Steve Olerich (R)

Sen. Bill Montford (D)

Other-

On March 30, 2011, Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) added an amendment (Barcode 493476) to SB 1150 to mandate the use of electronic verification to all Florida licenses starting in 2012- she desired to use REAL ID to screen illegal immigrants trying to get jobs. This opened the door for RFID tracking chips on licenses. The amendment passed the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee with a vote of 12-0 on March 30, 2011 and the Budget Committee with a vote of 20-0 on April 13, 2011. After requesting an appointment via email (per her office), I personally visited her office at the Capital and dropped off material relating to the dangers of RFID along with my contact information. No response was received.

The following Senators voted for the amended bill on March 30, 2011:

Chair: Sen. Jeremy Ring (D)

Vice Chair:  Sen. Gary Siplin (D)

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)

Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff (R)

Sen. Charles Dean, Sr. (R)

Sen. Mike Fasano (R)

Sen. Anitere Flores (R)

Sen. Rene Garcia (R)

Sen. Jack Latvala (R)

Sen. Gwen Margolis (D)

Sen. Bill Montford (D)

Sen. Jim Norman (R)

Sen. Stephen R. Wise (R)

The following Senators voted for the amended bill on April 13, 2011:

Chair: Senator JD Alexander (R)

Vice Chair: Senator Joe Negron (R)

Sen. Thad Altman (R)

Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto (R)

Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff (R)

Sen. Mike Fasano (R)

Sen. Anitere Flores (R)

Sen. Don Gaetz (R)

Sen. Alan Hays (R)

Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D)

Sen. Evelyn J. Lynn (R)

Sen. Gwen Margolis (D)

Sen. Bill Montford (D)

Sen. Nan H. Rich (D)

Sen. Garrett Richter (R)

Sen. David Simmons (R)

Sen. Gary Siplin (D)

Sen. Eleanor Sobel (D)

Sen. John Thrasher (R)