ST. PAUL, MINN – Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives approved bipartisan legislation on Tuesday that would allow Minnesota to prepare for the implementation of REAL ID. State Representative Jenifer Loon (R-Eden Prairie) voted in favor of the measure.
"Minnesotans should rest assured that they can continue to travel without undue difficulty and their state-issued driver's license will continue to be a valid form of identification to board a domestic commercial flight," said Rep. Loon. "Today's action by the Minnesota House jumpstarts the process for our state to comply with federal REAL ID requirements, and I look forward to resolving the issue this session."
In January, the Department of Homeland Security told Minnesota it has until 2018 to develop REAL ID-compliant licenses in order for residents to board an airplane. Currently Minnesota's licenses do not comply with the federal REAL ID Act.
Minnesota had previously approved a law prohibiting the state's Department of Public Safety (DPS) from even discussing REAL ID compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The measure approved by the House today would repeal that ban and give DPS 14 days to issue a report to the legislature detailing the steps needed for implementation, costs and other necessary legislative changes. Once that report is submitted, the legislature will review the report and act to authorize full implementation of REAL ID before adjournment in May.
The bill passed today also gives the DPS Commissioner a directive to seek an immediate extension from Homeland Security which would give temporary relief for Minnesotans using their driver's license to enter a military facility or federal building.
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