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 Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) voted in favor of the measure.
"This is a top priority for Republicans and Democrats alike, and I'm pleased we were able to take action," Rarick said.
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.
Feeling it was an invasion of privacy, 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 eliminate that ban and allow the process to begin.
"This is an important first step towards solving the REAL ID issue," Rarick said. "It's worth reminding folks that no Minnesota traveler will have their travel plans impacted for at least two years due to REAL ID, but no one wants to wait that long to address this problem. This legislation gets the ball rolling and allows Minnesota to begin discussions on how to best conform to the federal guidelines."