Capitol Comments, By Peggy Bennett

In the coming weeks the House will make good on a promise we made over the interim to address REAL ID. Legislators have been hard at work on a solution to move Minnesota closer to REAL ID implementation to make sure people can get on airplanes, visit their friends and family on military bases and in other secure federal facilities, and renew their existing license on their regular schedule without the cost or hassle of an extra trip to the DMV.

As you may know, REAL ID requirements are a result of legislation passed at the federal level in the wake of 9/11 that created new requirements for state drivers licenses. The new requirements help improve security and ensure that people with licenses are who they say they are.

In 2009, Minnesota’s Legislature voted overwhelmingly on a bipartisan vote to ban the Department of Public Safety from implementing the new requirements due to concerns about data privacy and how the federal government would use information obtained for REAL ID-compliant licenses and other forms of identification.

Many folks remain concerned about the data privacy aspect of REAL ID. Data privacy is important to me too, and this is something I will keep a close eye on as the discussion moves forward.

Soon we will vote on the first step, which will lift the existing ban on the Department of Public Safety from any involvement in REAL ID implementation. This would allow the Department of Public Safety to prepare and submit a plan to the Legislature detailing costs and other factors involved in implementation. Having this information will help the Legislature move forward so that county DMVs can start issuing REAL ID licenses within the year.

Lifting the ban will also enable the DPS commissioner to request an extension from the Department of Homeland Security, allowing Minnesotans to enter military bases and federal buildings using their current IDs, as well as continue to board airplanes.

Our goal is to have driver’s licenses ready to be issued starting in October so Minnesotans can renew on their current renewal schedule and not have to purchase a new license prior to 2020 when the federal government will start to require a REAL ID in order to board an airplane. Everyone will remain on their same renewal cycle, and no extra trip to wait in line at the DMV is needed. We want to prevent as much inconvenience for folks as possible, and getting things moving by October will help.

Once the plan is submitted, the Legislature will work on legislation to implement REAL ID. Legislators will continue to have discussions about how best to approach data privacy and make sure that Minnesotans’ personal data is protected and not misused by the federal government.

One important measure being discussed would require any change to how data is used proposed by the federal government to be reviewed by the Legislature. I believe it’s important that we have the ability to review changes proposed by the federal government and make sure that your private data is kept safe. We need to look at any new changes very closely and make sure they are in the best interest of our communities.

If you have suggestions or ideas on how best to move forward with REAL ID, please send me an email at rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn or call my office at 651-296-8216. Your ideas and input help guide our work here at the Legislature. I’m confident we will come up with a responsible way to transition to REAL IDs and prevent any inconvenience or additional costs while still respecting your data privacy.

 

Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, is the District 27A representative.