[May 12, 2010] Henry's veto of ban on technology stands firm [Tulsa World, Okla.] Tweet (Tulsa World (OK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 12--OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma House of Representatives failed Tuesday to override Gov. Brad Henry's veto of a measure that would have banned the use of radio frequency identification tags in driver's licenses. The vote on House Bill 2569 was 69 to 19, short of the 76 votes needed for an override. Henry's spokesman Paul Sund thanked lawmakers for reviewing the bill and sustaining the governor's veto. "It made no sense to prospectively ban technology that can provide future benefits," Sund said. "Claims that the technology will be used to track people are inaccurate." The Department of Public Safety has said it has no plans to use the data collection devices and took no position on the bill. Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore, said he might try again to override the veto. The House sponsor of the legislation said several members did not vote Tuesday. The measure would have banned the department from "imbedding, affixing, adhering or assigning any radio frequency identification tag to any driver license or identification card." The measure defines radio frequency identification as "a data collection technology system" that allows a signal to be transmitted containing "unique identification or location information of persons or products." Wesselhoft said the issue is about personal privacy. Sen. Dan Newberry, R-Tulsa, the bill's Senate sponsor, said that although he appreciates the governor's position, it is important that the people's voice be heard. He said he looks forward to addressing the issue again next session if an override is not possible. To see more of the Tulsa World, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Tulsa World, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]