5/17/04-A bill that called for outlawing the use of a device that can change some traffic signals from red to green has died.
SF1980, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Marko, DFL-Cottage Grove, remained in the Senate Finance Committee at the close of the session May 16, effectively killing it for the year.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
The bill was intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT.
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 provision was added to a larger Senate transportation bill but it too failed to gain passage before lawmakers adjourned.

3/4/04-A Senate bill would outlaw the use of a device 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.
Sen. Sharon Marko, DFL-Cottage Grove, has sponsored a bill – SF1980 – intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT.
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.
A similar bill – HF1683 – is in the House Committee on Transportation Policy.
SF1980 is in the Senate Finance Committee. For Senate bill status, call (651) 296-2887.