Friends,
This was a busy week at the Capitol where we passed a number of high profile bills and my Growler Bill was heard in committee this week. Enjoy my update from Saint Paul this week!
REAL ID
On Thursday the House passed House File 3, the REAL ID bill, which will make Minnesota REAL ID compliant. The bill passed on a bipartisan vote of 72-58. Without action on REAL ID this session, Minnesota driver’s licenses will no longer be acceptable for boarding planes as soon as January of 2018.
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.
For further explanation, you can watch a video my colleague Rep. Dennis Smith put together to explain what REAL ID is and what it does.
Sunday Sales Passes House
The Minnesota House passed legislation Monday that would legalize the sale of liquor, beer, and wine on Sundays, the first time in state history that standalone legislation on this issue has been approved. The bill passed on a bipartisan 85-45 vote, and now heads to the Senate which is expected to consider it early next week.
I am proud to have supported Sunday Sales for as long as I have been representing our area in Saint Paul and am optimistic the Senate will pass it and the Governor will sign it. Cheers!
Growler Bill Heard in Committee
My bill to expand which breweries in Minnesota can sell growlers was heard in Commerce and Regulatory Reform Committee. It was positively received and will be held over for possible inclusion in a broader reform package.
Minn Post included it in a piece they did last week about the number of reforms being proposed at the legislature this session. You can read that here.
As always, please continue to stay in touch to share your thoughts and ideas on the bills heard in committee and in session. You can schedule a time to meet with me in my office any time by calling my office at (651) 296-9463, or share your thoughts via email by emailing me at rep.drew.christensen@house.mn.
Have a great weekend,
Drew