HELENA, Mont. --Lawmakers want Montana to be the first state in the country to say "no" to federally approved ID cards.

Rep. Brady Wiseman, D-Bozeman, and Rep. Diane Rice, R-Harrison, presented nearly identical bills to the House Judiciary Committee Wednesday that would reject the federal Real ID Act of 2005. Both said the act was an attempt by the federal government to usurp power from individual state governments and threatened an individual's right to privacy.

State legislatures in Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington have similar bills pending, and more states are likely to follow suit, according to Matt Sundeen of the National Council of State Legislatures. An effort to pass a similar law in New Hampshire failed during its last legislative hearing.

"Our purpose here, members of the committee, is to lead, is to lead other state legislatures and other governors in a similar effort," Wiseman said.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer signaled he would support both bills.

"I'd like to say thanks to the last congress, but no thanks," said the governor's policy adviser, Hal Harper. "No thanks, please."

The Real ID Act grew out of a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission to incorporate common security features into state driver's licenses to prevent tampering or counterfeiting. States will also be responsible for verifying the legitimacy of documents used to obtain a license, such as a birth certificates or green cards.

Without such federally approved licenses, people would not be allowed to board an airplane or enter a federal building.

States would also be responsible for funding the changes, which Wiseman said would cost Montana about $2.6 million.

At the hearing a wide-ranging group of proponents spoke in favor of both bills and against the Real ID Act, which some said was akin to a national ID card that would track cardholder's every move.

"People concerned about federal databases may never use libraries again," said Lois Fitzpatrick of the Montana Library Association.

"The Real ID Act threatens to erode our fundamental right to privacy," said Cathy Day of the American Civil Liberties of Montana.

"I will destroy every piece of ID I have. I will be hunted, I will move into the mountains and let them come for me," said David Anderson, vice chairman of the Constitution Party of Yellowstone County.

Some proponents were particularly disgruntled with Montana's lone congressman, Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., who voted in favor of the Real ID Act. But Rehberg's spokesman, Bridger Pierce, said the law was misunderstood and did not infringe on personal liberties.

"This act just made it a little tougher for terrorists to get a state-issued driver's license," Pierce said.

The difference between the bills is that Wiseman's "opposes" implementing the Real ID Act, while Rice's "nullifies" the act. In an interview after the hearing, Rice said both bills were needed to ensure bipartisan support. She would have no problem, she said, if Wiseman's bill passed and not hers.

"It's that important," she said.

The committee took no further action on either bill.

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Rice's bill is House Bill 384.

Wiseman's bill is House Bill 287.