Friends,
We are down to the final 10 days of the 2018 Session and we are hard at work getting the final pieces of legislation passed and to Governor Dayton's desk. This weekend is both the fishing opener and Mother's Day, so give your mom a hug and good luck on the lake!
REAL ID News
This week, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that Minnesotans will be able to use their traditional driver's licenses to board planes for domestic flights until October 1, 2020. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed DPS it was making sufficient progress to meet the federal requirements, and came during a quarterly Real ID compliance check-in, according to state officials.
So as long as DPS is issuing REAL IDs on October 1st of this year, as required by the REAL ID law passed and signed into law in 2017, it's great to see that Minnesota IDs will continue to allow millions of Minnesotans to board airplanes until October 2020. Thanks to language spearheaded by House Republicans, the Dayton Administration is required by law to seek an extension once it becomes available. This will ensure Minnesotans aren't hassled by the REAL ID transition until 2020.
Home Affordability Bills Become Law
A couple weeks ago two of my bills to help with home affordability passed the House unanimously. This week, Governor Dayton signed both into law.
- House File 3552 provides a way for a historical building to convert to condominium use and is part of building upon the sweeping, positive changes to condo and townhouse law that I championed last session. This is all in an effort to increase the supply of homes across the twin cities metro area, something that is greatly lacking.
- House File 2743 adjusts the statute of limitations on construction defects to be more consumer and builder-friendly to the detriment of trial lawyers. Again, this is a bill that will help to alleviate the lack of affordable homes across the twin cities, while also helping consumers and builders.
Rep. Smith speaking on the House Floor in support of one of his bills to help with home affordability.
Osseo Classic Car show
This Saturday is the Intermarque's Vintage Car Show and Craft Sale in the Park. It is free, open to the public, and runs from 10 AM to 3 PM in Downtown Osseo. It's always a great time!
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. If you are going to be at or around the Capitol, please stop by or schedule a meeting. 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 Mother's Day & Fishing Opener Weekend!
Dennis