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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Roz Peterson (R)

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News from Rep. Roz Peterson 12-18-2015

Friday, December 18, 2015

Dear Friends,

I wanted to send you a quick note about REAL ID. It's a topic that's been in the news lately, and caused some concern for those with holiday travel plans.

REAL ID is a set of federal standards and procedures intended to improve security of driver’s licenses and personal identification cards. REAL ID was passed after 9/11 and most states—with Minnesota and a small group of others as exceptions—have adopted the new ID cards. During the 2009 session, the legislature voted nearly unanimously to prevent implementation of REAL ID due to concerns about data privacy and because it was essentially an unfunded mandate.

The federal government is now pushing the remaining states to comply with REAL ID requirements. Without a REAL ID, Minnesotans would not be able to get on a plane once the federal government decides to enforce these requirements.

Governor Dayton has requested and is likely to receive an extension for Minnesota as the legislature continues to study the issue. The federal government will give us plenty of notice—at least four months—before it starts to enforce REAL ID requirements.

For now, you have nothing to worry about. If you have holiday travel plans, your driver's license will still allow you to get on a plane. The legislature is likely to address this issue during the next session and will do what we can to ensure that your data is protected once REAL ID is adopted.

Please let me know if you have further questions or concerns about REAL ID.

I'm looking forward to a joyful Christmas celebration next week and hope you are able to enjoy some quality time with family no matter how you choose to celebrate during this holiday season. This is a great time to reflect on the joys and blessings from the past year and look ahead to what's sure to be a great 2016.

All the best from my family to yours,

Roz Peterson
State Representative, District 56B