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

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REAL ID Signed into Law

Friday, May 19, 2017

Friends, 


This final week of session has been hectic with the highlight being we have finally passed REAL ID -- you can read more about that below. There was also another incident this week. Luckily I am doing just fine but wanted to thank everyone who reached out to make sure I was ok. Budget negotiations with the Governor continue and the Republican legislature will send another round of an entirely balanced budget to the Governor's desk. I'll be at the Capitol this weekend as we finish up both negotiating with the Governor and passing bills. Have a great weekend!

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Rep. Smith and his daughter on the House Floor following the passage of REAL ID

REAL ID Signed into Law

Wednesday was the culmination of over two sessions worth of work to get REAL ID done here in Minnesota when it passed the House 120-11. The Senate also passed it with broad, bipartisan support and Governor Dayton signed it on Thursday. 

Getting REAL ID passed this session was my top priority and I am proud we were able to come to an agreement that will work for the legislature, Governor Dayton, and, most importantly, everyday Minnesotans. Making REAL ID a simple opt-in program for those who wish to use their driver’s license to board airplanes and enter federal facilities including military bases, while retaining an option to obtain an ID under the current system for those who chose to do so, makes this bill a compromise that works for everyone.

REAL ID is a federal law passed in 2005 with the goal to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to obtain fake identification cards by setting standards that states must meet for their driver’s licenses. Some federal facilities, including military bases, have already began to require those without compliant licenses to provide passports or other documentation in order to be admitted.

Whether it’s visiting a child at a military base or taking their family on vacation, Minnesotans deserve the peace-of-mind that with their normal driver’s licenses they are fully capable of going about their lives and work.

I'm proud we were able to get this done today and want to thank you all for your support and encouragement along the way. 

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Rep. Smith being congratulated by Republicans and Democrats following passage of REAL ID

ADA Bill to Governor's Desk

The Minnesota House passed the conference committee report on my bill, House File 1542, a bill that strengthens language to ensure businesses are given time to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) once they are made aware of a violation. The legislation passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support, 112-22, and received support from all areas of the state.

Frivolous lawsuits brought by a few unscrupulous lawyers made this change necessary. This legislation, supported by the Minnesota Council on Disabilities, will allow business to comply with the ADA and not be bogged down in court by those looking to take advantage of laws designed to protect those with disabilities.

The bill requires that a notice be sent to the business before a civil action can be filed for violation of the ADA law. The bill is supported by the Minnesota Council of Disabilities and many other organizations. 

The Senate also passed the conference committee report on Thursday and it will now head to the Governor for his signature. 


Rotary Club License Plate

This session I co-authored a bill to create a special license plate whose funds will go toward supporting Rotary Club Internation. Rotary clubs do great work in communities in our state and across the globe. While the bill may not become law this session, I look forward to contiuing to work on this project to support all the great work they do. 

Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am honored 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