Capitol Report: Banning Fees for Freezing Credit; Identity Theft Passport

The 2017 Equifax security breach imperiled the Social Security numbers and other sensitive information of as many as 143 million Americans. In response, Equifax offered free enrollment in a service that allows individuals to freeze and unfreeze a credit report. Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville) would like to see those fees waived for all Minnesotans, thereby making it less costly to safeguard the release of sensitive information. He joins Capitol Report moderator Shannon Loehrke to discuss his proposal.

For individuals unfortunate enough to have already been a victim of identity theft, Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester) has proposed a bill to create an Identity Theft Passport, a form of identification similar to a driver's license. The passport would aid citizens who have experienced identity theft in reclaiming their status by indicating to law enforcement and others that the person has been the victim of a crime.

This week’s program also provides highlights from the Senate Transportation Finance and Policy Committee meeting held on January 4 and Governor Dayton’s December 21 press conference announcing the creation of a Task Force on Affordable Housing. The Transportation Committee discussed the ongoing problems with the rollout of the new Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS).

Prior to 1939, the state of Minnesota had no official department charged with the ongoing revision of law. That year, the legislature created the Office of the Revisor of Statutes, and over time, the office has evolved into an integral part of the law-making process. Producer Jon Brune explains the significance of this important legislative office.