ST. PAUL – Two important bills that impact the lives of many Minnesotans are progressing through Minnesota House committees. State Representative Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) said legislation addressing health care premium relief and reform as well as Real ID are quickly gaining support among lawmakers.
“These are two critical issues that are moving rapidly through the process, and I’m pleased we are putting them on the fast track,” Rarick said.
Rarick said bills addressing our health care premium cost crisis by providing relief to eligible subscribers while increasing access, competition, and transparency in the Minnesota marketplace were recently heard in the civil law committee and health and human services reform committee, respectively.
The Real ID legislation brings Minnesota into full compliance with the federal Real ID act. If Minnesota’s state-issued identification cards haven’t met federal standards by 2018, residents will be unable to board a domestic airline flight. Under the House bill, Minnesota residents would be able to choose a Real ID compliant driver's license or a non-compliant license.
“With any luck these bills will have completed the committee hearing process over the next two or three weeks, and we can then bring them to the House floor for a full debate,” Rarick concluded.