RELEASE: Statement from Rep. Dennis Smith on REAL ID extension

MAPLE GROVE, MN—Representative Dennis Smith, R-Maple Grove, issued the following statement regarding today's news that Minnesota has been granted a grace period by the Department of Homeland Security that will ensure Minnesota drivers licenses can continue to be used to board airplanes and enter federal buildings until at least January 22, 2018. Minnesota's current extension expired today.

"Minnesotans can rest easy knowing that their current licenses can be used to board airplanes and enter federal facilities until early next year. I’m confident that we will continue to receive extensions necessary until we have REAL ID-compliant licenses available to Minnesotans. I want to thank the Department of Homeland Security and the Dayton administration for their work to secure this important extension as REAL ID implementation continues."

Rep. Smith was the chief author of House File 3, the REAL ID implementation bill that was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton earlier this year. He also serves as Vice Chair of the House Civil Law and Data Practices Policy Committee.

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