Move fast on Real ID? Minnesota lawmakers not on board

The potential $5 million cost to move Minnesota quickly into compliance with new federal driver's license security standards has state lawmakers questioning the need for speed.

Federal officials warn if the state doesn't comply with the Real ID identification law by 2018, Minnesotans won't be allowed to use a driver's license to board commercial domestic flights.

Despite that looming deadline, some legislators appear willing to wait to authorize the state implementation when the cost could be cheaper. That was clear Friday when members of two Minnesota House committees held a joint hearing Friday on a newly-compiled state report on implementing Real ID.

State Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore, said on Friday he's willing to wait.

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"This is a threat, a government-to-government threat. I really don't appreciate that from the federal government," Anderson said. "If we already have a means to accomplish what we have by using an enhanced ID, why don't we just stop there for now? We have a few more years to work with these people out in Washington."

Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, also questioned the need for quick implementation, noting that federal officials have already delayed Real ID enforcement a few times.

"I just don't want the state of Minnesota to be made the fool, to have bent over backwards, and then things change again," he said.

Other lawmakers want implementation to begin this fall to allow Minnesota to reach compliance with Real ID during the normal course of driver's license renewals. But that option is the most expensive. The state is in the middle of a multi-year replacement of its licensing computer system.

A later implementation date, when the new system is up and running, would be cheaper, Dawn Olson, the state's director of driver and vehicle services, told lawmakers.

"If we hold off, and we can factor these changes and requirements and basically spread out some of the urgency of getting this implemented, that just mitigates some of the cost that we would have to take on," she said.

Still, Rep. Dennis Smith, R-Maple Grove, wants legislation passed this session to begin Real ID implementation on Oct. 1. Smith said he will introduce a bill soon.

"I think that's the best option, so we can move forward with this issue," he said. "There are a lot of potential problems with the scenario if we wait or if we have a delayed implementation. To be fair to our citizens in our state we need to give assurances that they will be able to continue to fly commercially, and that is the best route in order for that to happen."

Smith said there are sufficient existing funds available in the department to cover the estimated implementation costs of up to $5 million.

Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials began planning for Real ID implementation just two weeks ago when Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation ending the state's 2009 prohibition on such planning.

The state is now waiting to see if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will give Minnesota more time to comply with the federal law, said Department of Public Safety Commissioner Mona Dohman.

An extension could push out the potential airport problems until October 2020, when full enforcement begins. Even without an extension, Minnesota travelers will have a temporary option to use alternative forms of ID, including passports or enhanced drivers' licenses, to board domestic flights.

A Minnesota Senate committee is scheduled to discuss the Real ID report Monday.