This particular item has struck me as mindlessly obnoxious on the part of the states. I live in
Mississippi, which is neither wealthy nor a particularly well-run state (though some departments are efficient and effective, many are penny-wise and pound-foolish and covered in red tape as a result of the corruption that allows). I got a RealID without paying extra, and AFAICT without bringing anything special for a DL renewal. However, I moved between renewals, and very well may have brought some supporting documents for that that hit the criteria for RealID (my usual proof of ID for government stuff is my passport, because it proves citizenship and identity in one, plus a water bill to prove residence if that's needed).
But several years ago when the first really big push for RealID ("hey, we really mean it now") happened, I looked at my license and had the star. Tell your state legislators that even Mississippi can roll this out to the population without special fees or obnoxious requirements, so what's their problem?