6/27/05-A bill that would have outlawed the possession of devices that can change some traffic signals from red to green has died.
HB190, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, remained in the House Transportation Committee at the deadline for bills to pass from the chamber, 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 possessing so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
It called for violators to face up to a $2,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail.
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.

4/26/05-A bill in the House Transportation Committee would outlaw the possession of 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.
HB190, sponsored by Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from possessing so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
The bill calls for violators to face up to a $2,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail.
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 (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.

1/6/05-Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, has introduced a bill that would outlaw the possession of 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.
HB190 is intended to deter anyone other than public safety and transit agencies from possessing so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRTs.
The proposal calls for violators to face up to a $2,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail.
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 yet to be forwarded to a committee for discussion during the session that begins Jan. 11.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.