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Border crossing options considered BISMARCK, ND (Prairie Public) - Lawmakers from the Dakotas, Minnesota and Manitoba are looking for ways to allow secure crossings of the U-S - Canadian border without requiring passports.

One option would be "enhanced drivers' licenses." Those licenses would use an imbedded information chip -- and they would be a little more expensive than regular drivers' licenses, but cheaper than passports. They would be issued voluntarily.

A few states have been given the go-ahead for the enhanced licenses. And Manitoba has decided it will issue them, too.

"When you live right next to one of your major trading partners, and you have thousands of people going back and forth, neither of us want to see that movement restricted, because it will affect both of our economies," said Manitoba deputy premier Rosann Wowchuk.

Wowchuk says the enhanced licenses cost about $14 more than then normal licenses.

North Dakota State Sen. Tom Fischer (R-Fargo)says the North Dakota Legislature will likely take a good look at this option.

"I would think that North Dakota would have a great interest in the enhanced drivers' licenses because of the proximity to the border and the number of people who cross the border on a daily basis," said Fischer.

Minnesota State Representative Morrie Lanning (R-Moorhead) says he thinks Minnesota lawmakers will also take up the issue in the next session.

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