HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians may be able to leave their wallets at home in the near future.
The Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee held a public hearing at the State Capitol to discuss legislation, introduced by State Rep. Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), for digital driver's licenses.
Rep. Miller says Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland and Louisiana have already made an option for mobile IDs.
In Maryland, residents can access their mobile ID through existing Google and Apple Wallet applications. In Delaware, residents can download a third-party app.
Maryland already has 200,000 residents enrolled since May 2022. Delaware has more than 30,000.
Rep. Miller said fewer people are carrying wallets and purses. He also said insurance and vaccine cards can be found electronically.
Rep. Miller has introduced a bill for digital IDs before, but with little support. He says Pennsylvania lawmakers need to embrace the reality that the world is going digital.
"It just makes sense," said Rep Miller. "This is not a matter of 'if,' but 'when.' I thought it would've been six years ago."
Just like other states with mobile IDs, a physical ID would still be required.
The public hearing was scheduled to take place inside Room 515 of the Irvis Office Building at the State Capitol at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.