5/17/04-A bill that would have permitted police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up has died.
SF2550 remained in the Senate Finance Committee at the close of the session May 16, effectively killing it for the year.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, sought to create a primary law for seat-belt enforcement. Currently, police can ticket drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
It would have made the seat-belt violation a petty misdemeanor; 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 had been added to a larger Senate transportation bill but it too failed to gain passage before lawmakers adjourned.

4/19/04-SF2550 would permit police to pull over drivers who are not buckled up. It would also hike the fine from $25 to $300.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, would create a primary law for seat-belt enforcement. Currently, police can ticket drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.
Murphy’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.
The bill is in the Senate Finance Committee. A similar bill – HF2892 – is in the House Committee on Transportation Policy.
For Senate bill status, call (651) 296-2887.