Senate Rejects Real ID Measure

On a 29 to 38 vote, the Senate failed to advance a bill that would bring Minnesota's drivers' licenses into compliance with federal requirements. The measure has become associated with Minnesotans ability to board airplanes without the need of a passport, enhanced driver's license or other identification cards meeting federal standards.

Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, and bill author Senator Eric Pratt, R-Prior Lake, criticized Governor Mark Dayton and DFL members for wanting to include a provision that would allow drivers' licenses to be issued to undocumented immigrants. Current administrative rules prohibit licenses from being issued.

DFL members attempted to remove bill language that instructed the Department of Public Safety to issue rules "only to the extent necessary" to implement REAL ID. Members argued it would embed the current rule prohibiting issuance of licenses to undocumented immigrants.

"This bill is suppose to be about compliance, it became a bill about restricting individuals in our state," said Senator Melissa Fransen, DFL-Edina, in explaining why she could not support the measure.

Senator Pratt argued that the Senate passed the Real ID compliance measure last year with similar language. "Members, if that language was clean last year, then why isn't it clean now?" he asked.