5/17/04-A measure that would have permitted police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up has died.
HF2892, sponsored by Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, remained in the House Committee on Transportation Policy at the close of the session May 16, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill would have created a primary law for seat-belt enforcement. Currently, police can ticket drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
It would have hiked the fine for violators from the current $25 to $300; Most of the fine would have paid for drug detoxification services provided by counties and the rest would have covered emergency medical services.
The seat-belt provision was added to a larger Senate transportation bill but it too failed to gain passage before lawmakers adjourned.

4/19/04-A bill before the House Committee on Transportation Policy would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up. It would also hike the fine from $25 to $300.
HF2892, sponsored by Rep. Michael Paymar, DFL-St. Paul, would create a primary law for seat-belt enforcement. Currently, police can ticket drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
Paymar’s bill would make the seat-belt violation a petty misdemeanor; Most of the fine would go to pay for drug detoxification services provided by counties and the rest would pay for emergency medical services.
If signed into law, it would put Minnesota in line for additional federal money.
An incentive program recently introduced in Congress encourages states to increase seat-belt enforcement. The program would give states three years to enact a primary seat-belt law or reach a rate of usage of at least 90 percent.
Failure to do one or the other would result in a loss of up to 4 percent of federal highway funds to the state.
For House bill status, call (651) 296-6646.