REAL ID Compliance Measure Advances

On a 4-3 vote, the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee approved SF 166, sponsored by Senator Eric Pratt, that would bring Minnesota into compliance with the federal REAL ID act. The committee allotted two days of hearings to the proposal, which would direct the Dept. of Public Safety to implement a federally-accepted driver's license and identification card, thus allowing Minnesotans access to federally-controlled areas without the need of a passport or enhanced identification card.

The first meeting was dedicated to public testimony, where both proponents and opponents of the measure shared their views on the proposal. Speaking in support of the bill, Mary Krueger said, "If we don't pass this law or this rule, it's not going to be the road warrior business travelers that are going to be affected. Most of them have their passports. It's not going to be the wealthy, who do the world traveling. They also have all the documentation they need. But it's going to be our next door neighbors. It's going to be that family that doesn't travel all the time..."

Jim Harper of the Competitive Enterprise Institute, who opposes the bill, said, "What's happening with REAL ID is a different kind of inducement, a form of hostage taking. They're telling you that they're going to hold up Minnesota's travelers if you don't comply with federal mandates about licensing. Well, I think the best advice in the area of hostage taking is the common sense advice, 'Don't give in to hostage takers."

The bill will be sent to the Senate floor for further committee referral or floor debate.