Starting in January, residents will be able to choose whether to obtain a “real ID.” Gov.Maggie Hassan has signed House Bill 1616 into law, settling a debate on whether the federal law passed in 2005 violated the state constitution.

When the enforcement plan is completed, those without compliant IDs won’t be able to use them to get into federal facilities, semi-restricted areas or — of most concern to the general public — to board airplanes. These people would need to have a second form of ID, such as a passport.

Opponents of the bill expressed concern that Real IDs would create a national database of citizens’ information, which the Department of Homeland Security has denied. An original opponent who changed his mind and sponsored it was Londonderry Rep. Sherm Packard. Roger Wood spoke to him on his podcast InDepth.

The new state law will allow residents of New Hampshire to choose whether or not they wish to comply with the federal standard. Real IDs will not cost more than the traditional Granite State IDs, but will require that more of the resident’s information stay on record with the state. Those who choose not to comply will have an ID that is marked as non-compliant with federal standards.

Eventually, these will not be considered valid identification at airports and secure federal facilities.