Friends,
Last week, I had a bill heard before the House Public Safety Committee that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. Cell phone use would still be permitted in a hands-free mode, through voice activated or one-touch functionality and in emergency situations.
Ultimately this bill is about saving lives. Nearly all of us have either had a loved one killed or harmed by a distracted driver or we know of an individual or family that has gone through a similar tragedy due to distracted driving.
Millions of Americans already live in states that have similar hands-free cell phone laws and I am hopeful that Minnesota will soon join them.
The bill’s next stop is the House floor. It remains to be seen whether or not it will be put to a full vote on the House floor, but I believe that we have close to enough support to get something done this year. Stay tuned for more information on this.
MNLARS Update
On Monday, the House overwhelming approved legislation that works to address the issues plaguing the MNLARS system. On a vote of 124-6, lawmakers agreed to allocate $10 million in emergency funding to ensure that crucial fixes to the system may proceed.
Minnesotans have been dealing with the MNLARS disaster since last July. Simple things like transferring a vehicle title or getting tabs has turned into a month’s long ordeal in some cases. Despite taxpayers spending $100 million over 10 years, these problems have continued to persist.
The legislation we passed implements a number of performance metrics to ensure transparency and accountability.
This ordeal has gone on too long and I am hopeful that this funding plus the reforms will help bring this embarrassing chapter to an end.
Staying in Touch
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 651-296-5513 or emailing me at rep.mark.uglem@house.mn.
Thank you and have a great weekend,
Mark