MINNESOTA HOUSE APPROVES REPEAL OF REAL ID MORATORIUM
ST. PAUL – Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation that would allow Minnesota to prepare for the implementation of REAL ID. State Representative Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) voted in favor of the measure.
"Coming into the 2016 session, addressing REAL ID was a top priority,” said Backer. “Today’s vote allows the legislature and state agencies to review standards and bring Minnesota into compliance in advance of the 2018 deadline. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure Minnesotans’ privacy is protected while also meeting federal ID standards.”
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 barring Minnesota's Department of Public Safety from even discussing REAL ID compliance with Homeland Security. The measure approved by the House recently would partially eliminate that ban and allow the planning process to begin.
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