House passes teen driving restrictions

By KEVIN DUCHSCHERE, Star Tribune

Last update: May 16, 2008 - 6:40 PM

Print this story

More from Politically Connected

Brand-new teenage drivers would be barred from driving overnight and with too many friends in the car under a bill that passed the House this afternoon.

The transportation policy bill, which also would make it illegal for drivers of all ages to send text messages, was approved by an 88-43 vote.

It now moves to the Senate, where officials expected that it could be voted on as early as this evening.

The bill originally had included a provision requiring booster seats for children under 8, but that was taken out at the behest of the governor.

Last week, the bill stalled in the House because it contained a provision allowing police officers to stop motorists for not wearing seat belts, the so-called "primary seat belt" offense.

The chief author in the House, Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said she believes the bill would pass the Senate and is optimistic that the governor would sign it.

Recent Politically Connected stories

State has plan to borrow up to $600 million, just in case - May 16, 2008

State has plan to borrow up to $600 million, just in case - That's on top of a plan to borrow hundreds of millions from schools. But official is "fairly positive" short-term borrowing won't be necessary. More