Friends,
On Tuesday, the House passed a REAL ID proposal on a bipartisan vote of 87-42. If the bill ultimately is signed by the governor, Minnesotans can choose between a REAL ID-compliant license and your current MN state issued ID or driver’s license. The new REAL ID will ensure that you can easily board a commercial airplane or enter federal facilities. The second option, for those who wish to opt out of the federally mandated REAL ID requirements, will require a passport to fly commercially, regardless of domestic and international travel or for access to certain federal facilities. I supported this multi-option bill.
While many of the headlines this week will focus on transportation funding, tax relief, and bonding negotiations, few bills are more urgent than passing this language to make our state compliant with the federal REAL ID Act. Monday, Minnesota’s request for an extension was again denied, meaning our state has until 2018 to implement the needed changes to our identification system.
Originally, some proposed one single license that would be REAL ID-compliant. This brought fourth questions regarding privacy issues, and how much a person was willing to share with the federal government in order to obtain a driver’s license or ID card. While the two-track system appeases privacy advocates because it allows an opt out of REAL ID, it also presents concerns, too. By choosing the option NOT compliant with REAL ID means a person may not have to show as many verified documents to obtain an ID, thus opening the door to fraud or abuse.
Some special interests have attempted to hijack the importance of passing REAL ID by leaving open a loophole to allow special rulemaking to give the administration the ability to produce driver’s licenses for those without legal resident status. I believe the work of allowing people to board a plane and access federal buildings is an issue that should transcend above special interest politics. I support our House bill that includes language to prohibit this special rulemaking. We shouldn’t cloud these important bills – like REAL ID – with ancillary issues.
There’s rarely a perfect solution to difficult problems such as this. Our two-track proposal protects the privacy of Minnesotans, maintains state authority, limits special rulemaking and gives access to those who want to fly or go to a federal facility or military base.
While the specifics may sound complicated, one thing that isn’t is our need to act quickly. With another rejected extension application, we can’t continue to play chicken with the economic and practical challenges of not providing a REAL ID-compliant option. This change is coming, and we need to do what we can to make this process expedited and simple for our residents. I believe there are certain issues that really transcend party politics and Minnesotans expect us to move on this requirement.
We are in the final few days of session, adjourning on Sunday night. I hope to send an update on the progress of the other issues of transportation, taxes and capital investment we are negotiating. I remain hopeful but there are some big philosophical differences to cross.
Best,
Jon Koznick
State Representative, Lakeville, 58A