Greetings from the Capitol!
Sunday Sales:
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed House File 30 on a vote of 85-45; this bill would allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays between the hours of 10 AM & 6 PM, effective July 1st. However, the bill does not allow for the delivery of alcohol to liquor stores on Sundays. Additionally, the sale of alcohol would still be prohibited before 8 AM and after 10 PM on Monday through Saturday, on Thanksgiving Day, on Christmas Day, and after 8 PM on Christmas Eve.
The bill is now going through the legislative process in the Senate and Governor Dayton has said that he would sign the bill if it were to reach his desk. If the bill is signed into law, Minnesota would join 47 other states who allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays.
While I have heard concerns from many liquor store, bar, and restaurant owners, I followed the will of the people of our community and voted in favor of the bill.
REAL ID Compliance:
On Thursday, The House passed House File 3, which puts Minnesota in compliance with a federal law, known as the REAL ID Act.
To recap: the U.S. Congress passed REAL ID in 2005 with the intention to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to obtain a fraudulent identification card. The state of Minnesota needs to be in compliance by January 22, 2018; if the state is not compliant by then, Minnesotans will not be able to board airplanes, or visit military bases and federal buildings without going through some additional hoops of obtaining other identification such as a passport.
The differences between what a REAL ID compliant license would look like and the current driver's license are minor. The REAL ID verifies the license holder’s legal status in the United States and ensures they are not licensed in more than one state. The bill that passed Thursday allows for a dual track system for Minnesotans to become REAL ID compliant; you can either apply to get a REAL ID, or use your current state driver's license and a passport as your forms of identification.
While I am not thrilled that Minnesota needs to become REAL ID compliant, real change to this legislation will have to come from the federal level. I encourage you to express your concerns to Senator Klobuchar, Senator Franken, and/or Congressman Peterson.
If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding any issue related to state government, please feel free to contact me at either 651-296-3201 or rep.mary.franson@house.mn. I would love to hear from you.
I truly represent the best!
Sincerely,
