SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, the Transportation and Regional Governance Policy Committee passed House File 3, the REAL ID bill, out of committee and referred it to the Transportation Finance Committee. Without action on REAL ID this session, Minnesota driver’s licenses will no longer be acceptable for boarding planes as well as entrance into federal facilities as soon as January of 2018.
“Today we are one step closer to passing REAL ID and giving Minnesotans the peace-of-mind that they will continue to be able to board planes or visit federal facilities, including military bases, with their driver’s licenses,” said Rep. Dennis Smith (R-Maple Grove), author of the bill. “Making REAL ID a simple opt-in program for those who would like to obtain a federally compliant ID, while leaving an option to obtain an ID under the current system for those who chose to do so, makes this a compromise that will work for everyone. I look forward to our next hearing and eventually passing REAL ID.”
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