4/19/05-A bill has died that would have outlawed devices that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
HF501, sponsored by Rep. Leon Lillie, DFL-North St. Paul, remained in the House Transportation Committee past the April 5 deadline for bills to move forward.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach. But drivers can purchase them on the Internet for a couple of hundred dollars.
People can even buy kits and build the signal changer themselves.
The bill called for fining violators up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
The measure was intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using and/or possessing so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
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.
An identical Senate bill – SF7 – met the same fate.

3/7/05-Rep. Leon Lillie, DFL-North St. Paul, has introduced legislation that would outlaw devices 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 drivers can purchase them on the Internet for a couple of hundred dollars.
People can even buy kits and build the signal changer themselves.
Under HF501, violators could face up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
The measure is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from using and/or possessing so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
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 is before the House Transportation Committee. For House bill status, call (651) 296-6646.
An identical Senate bill – SF7 – is in the Senate Transportation Committee.