ST. PAUL, MINN – Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday that would allow Minnesota to prepare for the implementation of REAL ID. State Representative Kelly Fenton (R-Woodbury) voted in favor of the measure.
"Minnesotans want to continue to travel without hindrance, and the repeal of the 2009 state law barring any action on REAL ID compliance is the first step to get this process moving," said Rep. Fenton. "While the final phase of REAL ID won't be enforced by the federal government until at least 2018, taking action now means we can begin discussions on federal guideline conformity and give Minnesotans peace of mind that a state-issued driver's license will continue to be a valid form of identification to board a domestic flight."
In January, the Department of Homeland Security told Minnesota it had until 2018 to develop REAL ID-compliant licenses in order for residents to board an airplane. Currently Minnesota's licenses do not comply with the federal REAL ID Act.
Minnesota had previously approved a law prohibiting Minnesota's Department of Public Safety from even discussing REAL ID compliance with Homeland Security. The measure approved by the House recently would eliminate that ban and allow the process to begin.