Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Legislative News and Views - Rep. Dennis Smith (R)

Back to profile

RELEASE: Minnesota House Passes REAL ID Bill

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

ST. PAUL – On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed a bill to make Minnesota compliant with the federal REAL ID Act on a bipartisan vote of 87-42.

“House Republicans have been working on this issue for months, and I’m happy to see we’re taking steps to ensure Minnesotans can board airplanes and enter federal facilities and military bases after the 2018 federal deadline for compliance,” said House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown.

The approved language includes a two-track license system. The first allows residents to choose a Real ID-compliant license that ensures they can easily get on an airplane or enter federal facilities, and a second option for those who wish to opt-out of the federally mandated Real ID requirements.

“Whether you support one track or two, Minnesotans deserve the peace-of-mind knowing they can fly to see a relative in another state, visit their child on a military base, or take their family on vacation with a Minnesota-issued identification card,” said chief author Rep. Dennis Smith, R-Maple Grove. “My hope is that this two-track compromise means legislators won’t delay action on REAL ID in order to advocate for controversial special interests.”

The legislation pushes for an October 2016 implementation date, ensuring Minnesotans will not need to renew their license an extra time in order to become REAL ID compliant.

“On Monday, our state’s request for an extension was again denied because we haven’t taken the appropriate steps to become compliant,” said Smith. “Until we do, the deadline of 2018 will prevent Minnesotans from boarding commercial airplanes. We have to act, and we have to act now.”

 

 

-30-