JEFFERSON CITY • Legislation that would help Missouri comply with the federal Real ID Act of 2005 cleared a major hurdle on Tuesday, with House lawmakers giving the proposal initial approval after a lengthy debate on whether or not compliance comes at a cost of personal freedoms.

The Real ID act was passed after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and intended to prevent terror attacks by setting standards for state-issued IDs.

But more than a dozen states, including Missouri, took issue with certain aspects in the Real ID law, fearing requirements that states keep databases of personal documents could leave citizens’ personal information vulnerable to hackers.

In 2009, former Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, signed into law a bill barring the Department of Revenue from complying with the law in light of those privacy concerns.

But beginning in 2018, Missouri driver’s licenses won’t be accepted at airport security checkpoints. Meaning if lawmakers can’t agree on a way for the state to comply with the federal law, Missourians could find themselves on the hook for passports needed for domestic air travel, starting Jan. 22.

It can take up to six weeks to get a passport in Missouri, and can cost nearly $200.