Friends,
After a snowy and very cold week, I hope you are able to enjoy the slightly warmer and long weekend with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. It has been a busy start to session and I have been hard at work addressing REAL ID compliance – ensuring Minnesotans will have the ability to board planes and enter federal facilities, including military bases, with their Minnesota driver’s license.
REAL ID
This has been a busy and productive week for REAL ID. On Tuesday, REAL ID had its first hearing in committee. After public testimony and answering questions on the bill, it passed out of the Civil Law & Data Practices Policy Committee. It was then referred to the Transportation & Regional Governance Policy Committee where it was heard on Wednesday and again passed and was referred to the Transportation Finance Committee.
I presented the bill and answered questions from my colleagues, the media,
and the public on the specifics of REAL ID.
As you may recall, my REAL ID bill offers a two-track system to comply with the federal requirements established post-9/11 to secure air travel and federal facilities. My bill will allow for Minnesotans to opt-in to a REAL ID compliant driver’s license. This will allow for continued ability to board planes and enter federal facilities without needing a passport.
My bill offers the second option for those who wish to not participate in this program and keeps the current driver’s license system in place. The compromise of using a two-track system has served as a way to satisfy those concerned about the federally compliant IDs.
REAL ID made great progress this week and I look forward to more hearings next week before finally bringing it to the House Floor. If you have any questions about this key issue, please contact my office at 651-296-5502.
Tax Conformity & Health Care Progress
I am pleased to inform you that the Senate has also passed the Tax Conformity bill and it is now off to Governor Dayton’s desk for his signature. The bill will not only save taxpayers time and hassle but also gives Minnesotans $21.7 million in immediate tax relief this year.
The Senate also passed a health care premium relief bill similar to the Health Care Emergency Aid & Access bill that House Republicans attempted to pass during the first week of session, only to be blocked by Democrats. The plan is now making its way through committees in the house and we hope to see the health care premium relief bill on the floor next week.
Other Bills in Committee
I had three other bills that were heard in the Civil Law and Data Practices Committee this week. These bills are consumer friendly and provide updates to modernize our laws for today’s world.
- HF46 is a bill that updates Minnesota’s real property laws to modernize current law regarding electronic signatures and reduces filing fees.
- HF22 is a bill that aids small family farms by exempting them from an annual reporting requirement, which has a criminal penalty if not followed, for land held in trusts.
- HF13 is a bill that aids Minnesota non-profits and provides additional protection to their directors and volunteers.
Interested in assisting the Maple Grove Police Department?
Maple Grove is seeking dedicated volunteers to serve as police reserve officers to assist at special events and activities around the city. The deadline to apply is Sunday, January 15 at 4:30. More information can be found here.
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! It is my pleasure to serve you at the Capitol. My email address is Rep.Dennis.Smith@house.mn, phone number 651-296-5502, and by mail: 375 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
Have a great weekend!
Dennis