COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Senate will now consider legislation that could make it easier for Ohioans to cross into Canada or Mexico without obtaining a passport.

A bill passed by the House authorizes the issuance of driver’s licenses, commercial driver’s licenses and identification cards that are enhanced to allow easier border crossings between the United States and the two neighboring countries through authorized land and sea ports.

Co-sponsor, State Rep John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake), says the IDs contain specific technology and security features approved by the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and may be used in the same manner as a driver’s license, CDL or ID card.

“Electronic driver’s licenses would afford Ohioans wishing to travel back and forth into Canada and Mexico the same simple convenience, without the additional expense or bureaucracy of obtaining a passport,” said Rogers.

The enhanced driver’s license will be an optional form of identification.

Applicants meeting the necessary requirements would be able to obtain one of the enhanced licenses for a $25 fee.

Michigan, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Washington have also recently enacted legislation permitting the use of enhanced drivers licenses, with over 2 million registered citizens.