Rep. Paul Rosenthal (49B) – Legislative Update
Dear Neighbors,
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security just granted Minnesota an extension until October 10, 2018 as it rolls out REAL ID. Minnesotans will not have a problem using their current driver’s licenses/state IDs to board commercial airplanes or enter federal facilities while REAL ID is being implemented.
As you may know, the federal REAL ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Act’s purpose is to confirm the identities of people accessing federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
Citing concerns “regarding federal funding, privacy, state control and other issues,” in 2009 Governor Pawlenty signed into law language that completely prohibited implementation or even planning for the REAL ID Act in Minnesota. Over the past two years, the Minnesota Legislature—with my support – worked to overturn this law and put Minnesota into REAL ID compliance as soon as possible, currently scheduled for fall of 2018.
Thank you again, and please always feel free to contact me whenever I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Paul