I didn't read the entire thread, so I apologize if this is repeated information. There was just some discussion in a Trip Report thread,
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27919165-post2.html
I was at a Federal facility for first responders recently for a weekend class. The same "Real ID" rules apply throughout the Federal Government. If I did not have a passport or GE and had a DL from one of the states listed, and it was after January 22, 2018, I would not have been admitted to the facility. In fact the classes for first responders from Maine have already been canceled for 2018 because Maine knows that it will not meet the requirements. Apparently the states have had at least 10 years to comply with the requirements of the act.