By Rep. Paul Anderson
One of the items that we hear many concerns about is the issue of Minnesota becoming compliant with federal Real ID requirements, especially as they pertain to boarding commercial airplanes.
About half the states have done the required work to issue the new IDs, and most other states are further along with the process than we are. In fact, until just a few weeks ago, Minnesota had a law on the books that said we couldn’t even discuss or research the topic. That law was rescinded, and a new study just came back telling us that the cost to complete the task this session of implementing the new IDs into our drivers’ licenses was around $5 million. It would be ideal to get it done now so folks could get the new license during their regular renewal cycle, which runs four years. It appears the final Dept. of Homeland Security ruling on the requirement will not go into effect until at least 2018 and probably not until the year 2020.
A side-by-side comparison of Real ID and current Minnesota drivers’ licenses reveals there aren’t too many differences. To be Real ID compliant, an applicant would need to provide documents demonstrating his or her principal place of residence and a signed declaration of truth under penalty of perjury. The only new data being retained is proof of Social Security number, declaration of truth and documents showing the principal place of residence. The length of time this data would be scanned and stored with Real ID is 10 years, while currently all first-time applications and supporting identity documents are stored for five years before being destroyed.
In terms of data verification, the only new piece would be that states must verify documents proving identity and lawful status (passport, birth certificate, residence card etc.) through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system (SAVE). In addition, the Real ID card itself requires heightened physical security features and a special marking showing real ID compliance.
There are two ways to proceed with this process. There is the one-track method, where only the Real ID card or license would be issued. Some states, including Wisconsin, have chosen a two-track system, where the Real ID would be available, in addition to a regular non-compliant license. It seems to me that one track would be a better and less confusing way to go by having all IDs the same and having them available at all license bureaus around the state.
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This spring’s planting season has been proceeding at a very quick pace. Some are done or nearly so with corn planting, which is very unusual for this time of year. I’ve even heard reports of soybeans being planted in southern Minnesota. Farmers around these parts are usually just getting going in mid-April, so to be this far along is amazing. We’ve also had pretty good heat units, so some small grains have emerged and gardens are also showing new life with radishes and other goodies peeking through the soil. This week is forecast to be cool and damp, which will certainly slow things down. The moisture is appreciated, especially after all the recent strong winds that have dried out the top soil. The concern with ultra-early planting is getting cold weather in the next month or so that could cause problems with emergence or even kill newly-emerged plants. Like many other things involved with farming, it’s a roll of the dice with the final determination left up to Mother Nature.
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