Measure requiring booster seat is out
The backers of a transportation policy bill have dropped their plans to require that children between the ages of four and eight be strapped into a booster seat.
Legislative negotiators took the action after Gov. Pawlenty expressed concerns that the booster seat requirement was "legislative overreach."
DFL Representative Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park said she's disappointed they removed the booster seat requirement.
"Small children with an adult sized seatbelt really get ripped up inside in a car accident and so while we're saving some lives we're preventing dozens of serious injuries. It's legislation well worth doing. Apparently, we'll have to look at doing it either in a different bill this year or next year," Hortman said.
Hortman said the change does not ensure that the entire bill will pass the Minnesota House. Many members don't like a provision that would allow police to stop motorists who aren't wearing seat belts.
The House and Senate must pass the transportation bill before it goes to the governor. Immediately after the conference committee changed the bill, Pawlenty was noncommittal, saying he needed to review the bill.
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