Friends,
On Thursday the House passed my bill, HF3 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.
The Senate version of the bill, SF 166, is making its way through the committee process.
Rep. Smith presenting the REAL ID bill on the Hous floor
For further explanation, you can watch a video we 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.
Vending Machine Tax Bill
House File 1275 is a bill that I have authored to adjust how food from vending machines are taxed. It will make it so that not all food that is sold through vending machines is subject to Minnesota sales tax. This week it was heard in the Taxes Committee and has been laid over for possible inclusion into a larger tax bill.
Rep. Smith with students from his local district
Congrats to Maple Grove Athletics
February has been a good month for our young athletes in Maple Grove. The gymnastics team won their section and will compete this weekend at the state meet at the University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion.
The Maple Grove boys hockey team is seeded second in their section and will face Blaine in the section semifinals this Saturday. Go Crimson!
Please continue to share your thoughts with me about our state government; bill ideas and concerns are welcomed! I am grateful 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