Mandatory Seat Belts (H 7596, H 8044, S 2373)

The ACLU testified before the House and Senate Judiciary committees in March in opposition to legislation which would remove the “sunset” provision on the primary seat belt law, rendering it permanent.  Currently, the primary seat belt law is scheduled to be repealed automatically in 2013; this legislation sought to remove that provision and make the law permanent.  As in years passed, the Affiliate testified that the mandatory seat belt law was an overreach of the law, serving only as another reason to pull over a vehicle.  In May, the Affiliate testified in favor of legislation sponsored by Rep. Jared Nunes to move forward the repeal date, effectively ending the primary seat belt law at the end of this legislative session.  All three bills died in committee.