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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Mary Franson (R)

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Statement from Rep. Mary Franson on passage of bill to repeal REAL ID moratorium

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

MINNESOTA HOUSE APPROVES REPEAL OF REAL ID MORATORIUM

ST. PAUL – Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation that would allow Minnesota to prepare for the implementation of REAL ID. State Representative Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) voted in favor of the measure.
 
“With today’s vote, it is worth reminding Minnesotans that they will not have their travel plans impacted for at least two years due to REAL ID," said Franson. "This legislation begins the conversation of what data the Department of Homeland Security plans to collect and how the Department of Public Safety plans to use the information collected. Also important to me is to make sure Minnesota has the ability to override any future rule making the federal government may make on REAL ID that may not be in the best interest of my constituents. As your state representative, I take your privacy concerns very seriously."
 
In January, the Department of Homeland Security told Minnesota it had 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 barring Minnesota's Department of Public Safety from even discussing REAL ID compliance with Homeland Security. The measure approved by the House recently would partially eliminate that ban and allow the planning process to begin.
 
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