Gov. Mark Dayton has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to give Minnesota more time in which to comply with the new federal Real ID requirement that has left air travelers uncertain about future trips.

Dayton asks Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in the Friday letter to give the state enough time for lawmakers to address the issue in the legislative session set to begin on March 8, 2016.

For Minnesota to comply with the new federal ID requirement, lawmakers must repeal a 2009 law that banned the implementation of a secure state ID like the kind the federal government is now demanding. Air travelers who lack such an ID could find that a driver's license is not enough to get on a plane come Jan. 1.

Minnesota's legislative leaders are getting on board with Dayton's request. A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk said he supports the extension. And a spokeswoman for House Speaker Kurt Daudt said he was sending his own letter with a similar request.

A full copy of Dayton's letter is here.