6/17/04-Gov. Frank Murkowski signed a bill June 8 outlawing the possession or use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some impatient drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet.
The new law, previously SB255, bans the possession or use of so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
Anyone caught with the device could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The new law will take effect Sept. 2.

5/11/04-The House unanimously passed a bill May 6 that would outlaw the possession or use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
The proposal, which previously passed the Senate 20-0, is headed back to the chamber for final approval before going to Gov. Frank Murkowski.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some impatient drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet.
SB255, sponsored by Senate President Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, would ban the possession or use of so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
Under the bill, anyone caught with the device could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
For bill status, call (907) 465-4648.

5/3/04-The Senate unanimously passed a bill April 20 that would outlaw the possession or use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some impatient drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, would ban the possession or use of so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
Under SB255, anyone caught with the device could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The bill has been forwarded to the House Judiciary Committee. For bill status, call (907) 465-4648.

4/6/04-A bill before the Senate Finance Committee would outlaw controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
The bill, sponsored by Senate President Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, would ban the possession or use of so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
Under SB255, anyone caught with the device could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
For bill status, call (907) 465-4648.

1/19/04-A bill that would outlaw controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green has been sent to committee.
SB255, sponsored by Sen. Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, would ban the sale or use of Mobile Infrared Transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies. Under the bill, anyone caught using the device could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But some impatient drivers have managed to purchase them on the Internet.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
The bill has been referred to the Senate State Affairs Committee. For bill status, call (907) 465-4648.

1/12/04-Senate President Gene Therriault, R-North Pole, has introduced legislation that would outlaw the manufacture, sale, purchase, use or possession of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
SB255 would ban the sale or use of Mobile Infrared Transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone other than public safety and transit agencies.
The devices are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
For bill status, call (907) 465-4648.