Latest news with #SB47
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Road-repair bill reveals friction between Republican leaders of different groups in Alaska Senate
Members of the Alaska Senate vote on Senate Bill 47 on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) A bill intended to fix potholes in a popular road within Chugach State Park has also exposed rocky relationships between two leaders of the Alaska State Senate. The Senate voted 18-1 on Monday to pass Senate Bill 47, which would allow the municipality of Anchorage to repair Canyon Road, within the park. Normally, the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is responsible for road maintenance within the park, but Anchorage voters, dissatisfied with the state's work, approved a $4 million bond in 2024 that puts local money into road maintenance. SB 47 is necessary for that money to be spent legally. The bill was sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, and the lone vote against it came from Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla. Shower said after the vote that his opposition wasn't due to the bill itself, but because of disagreements with its author. It's a matter of personal respect, Shower said. Giessel refuses to look him in the eyes on the Senate floor, he said. In a recent Senate Transportation Committee meeting, she didn't acknowledge his presence. When Shower's granddaughter was introduced as a guest on the Senate floor, Giessel didn't applaud along with the rest of the senators. If Giessel isn't willing to show common courtesy, Shower said, she shouldn't expect his support for personal legislation. 'There's a certain level of decorum and respect that's expected,' he said. 'I don't even know what to say,' Giessel said when asked about Shower's comments. 'I don't have a comment.' Shower said he's spoken privately to Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, about the disagreement. For several years, Republicans in the state Senate have been split between those who follow a strict party line and those willing to serve in a coalition majority that includes Democrats in leadership positions. Republican Party officials have repeatedly criticized Stevens, Giessel and other senators for their willingness to work across party lines. Shower regularly appears on talk radio and has criticized those coalition Republicans by name. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Safety advocates urge passage of hands-free cellphone law
The Brief A call to action was made by a group of roadway safety advocates SB 47 would amend the current law by restricting cell phone use in vehicles to only hands-free devices. It's called the Allie's Way Act AUSTIN, Texas - A Round Rock mom who lost her daughter to a distracted driver has joined an effort to create a statewide, hands-free phone law. The call to action was made at the state capitol by a group of roadway safety advocates. What they're saying "Having to be on your phone all the time in the car is an addiction, just like drugs. It's a growing epidemic," said Karin Zaltsman who lost her daughter in a San Antonio crash. Attempts to address that epidemic started more than 10 years ago. Several cities across Texas had ordinances restricting or outright banning cellphone use while driving. Austin was one of them. But at the state capitol, those local efforts, which were described as patch work and government overreach, were scaled back to a ban on texting while driving. The only total ban is in school zones during school hours. "The current statewide texting bill, enacted in 2017, is a step in the right direction, but it's limited in what it prohibits," said Kara Thorp with AAA Texas. The backstory SB 47 would amend the current law by restricting cell phone use in vehicles to only hands-free devices. It's called the Allie's Way Act. "We could make history with this bill," said Jamie White. Jamie White is involved in the reform effort because of what happened to her daughter, 2-year-old Allie. She was killed in a Round Rock parking lot back in 2019 while walking with her father. "My husband was actually trying to pull her out of the way. This driver was so distracted that the kids in the back of her car were even screaming at her to get off the phone before she ran over my daughter in front of my husband," said White. Under current Texas law, a distracted driving charge is not limited to texting. There are several actions done while traveling behind the wheel that could cause a citation: Texting while driving Being sleepy. Eating and drinking. Putting on makeup/ brushing hair. Reaching for an object or a pet. Adjusting the radio. Talking to a passenger. "Nationally, distracted driving kills over 3,300 people, or about nine people per day, including 400 Texans. In 2023. It also caused serious injury to 2,800 worth noting, however, that these numbers are likely significantly higher in reality, because when police are filling out their crash reports, it's unlikely that a driver is going to admit to being on their cell phone," said Thorp. The Allie's Way Act could make enforcement less subjective, according to safety advocates like Jamie White. "This is senseless. So, this bill would save lives. It would produce the consequences needed because Allie's killer got nothing. Walked away, killed my child and walked away Scot-free. Something needs to happen," said White. What's next Twenty-nine states have "Hands-Free Laws" on the books. The Allie's Way Act was filed by Senator Judith Zaffirini (D) Laredo, and is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate State Affairs committee. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Advocates gather at Texas Capitol for hands-free cellphone legislation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Another rally happened outside the Texas Capitol Wednesday in support of a bill to restrict phone usage on the road. AAA, alongside others, showed its support for Senate Bill 47, which is also known as the Allie's Way Act. SB 47 would require all drivers in Texas use their cellphones in hands-free mode while driving. Round Rock mother shares tragic story in hopes of ending distracted driving The bill is named after Allie White, a young girl who was killed in September 2019 when a car hit her while the driver was distracted by their cellphone. Allie's parents are strong supporters of SB47. They both founded the nonprofit Allie's Way, which is focused on ending distracted driving. 'This bill would save lives. It would produce the consequences needed, because Allie's killer got nothing, walked away, killed my child and walked away scot free. Something needs to happen,' Jamie White said. In 2017, Texas passed a law prohibiting reading, writing or sending messages while driving. However, it does not prohibit holding a phone to your ear to make a call. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rhoden has signed 43 bills into state law
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Governor Larry Rhoden has signed eight more bills into state law, per an announcement from his office on Tuesday. KELOLAND News wrote earlier this month about the 34 bills already signed by Rhoden at that point. How many states have older prisons than South Dakota? Between then and Tuesday, Rhoden signed SB81, a bill prohibiting the use of a firearms code for transactions involving firearms, accessories, components, and ammunition. On Tuesday, Rhoden added eight more to the pile, totaling 43 bills signed so far. These latest bills are: SB33 makes appropriations for water and environmental purposes and declares an emergency; SB47 clarifies eligibility for licensure as a video lottery operator; HB1047 makes an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs and declares an emergency; HB1056 prohibits the preparation, sale, and distribution of certain kratom products and provides a penalty therefor; HB1072 modernizes provisions relating to water development districts; HB1074 modifies the individuals eligible to sign an affidavit of homelessness for purposes of obtaining a free copy of a birth certificate; HB1075 modifies the persons eligible to sign an affidavit for proof of homelessness for purposes of waiving the fee for a nondriver identification card; and HB1125 creates a share the road bicyclist safety emblem for use on an emblem specialty plate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Georgia Senate approves sales tax holiday for guns, ammo
Georgia Senate Republicans advanced a bill Wednesday that would create a sales tax holiday for guns and ammunition. Why it matters: The legislation, which supporters say promotes hunting and conservation, comes months after a deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School. Opponents have debated its timing and argue that lawmakers should instead focus on gun safety measures. Zoom in: The Senate voted along party lines 31-21 to approve Senate Bill 47, which calls for the holiday to begin annually on the second Friday of October and last 11 days. It would expire on July 1, 2030. Sales tax exemptions would also apply to gun safes and items like magazines, stocks, barrels and scopes. What they're saying: Majority caucus chair Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), who sponsored the bill, said the legislation would "promote hunting, conservation and tourism" in the state. The Senate passed similar legislation in 2024, but that bill would have set aside five days. Between the lines: The debate quickly shifted to the optics of the Senate passing a bill months after the Apalachee shooting. Sen. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), who supports the measure, said some members of the Senate were taking advantage of the shooting in Barrow County to advance their own cause. "There are members of our body who took the opportunity as well to, I believe, politicize what was a tragedy [and] use it in a way that was directed towards a party agenda to limit and control gun ownership," he said. The other side: Sen. RaShaun Kemp (D-Atlanta) said the Senate should instead focus on passing bills that would promote the safe storage of firearms. "Those are the types of bills that we should be addressing today, to address what happened at Apalachee and making sure that it does not happen in any more schools in the state," he said. Sen. Nikki Merritt (D-Grayson) said the comments that the legislation is about supporting hunters and outdoorsmen are a distraction. "This bill is really about making cheap guns and ammo accessible to any and everyone who wants to have them, regardless of any reason," she said. Catch up quick: Following the Apalachee mass shooting, Democratic state legislators renewed their calls for stricter gun laws. Last week, Republican leaders in the Georgia House of Representatives unveiled their plan to improve school safety, including implementing a statewide database to share concerns about students who might pose a safety threat. Context: 2024 was the most active year for gunfire on school grounds since 2013, when Everytown for Gun Safety started tracking data, Axios' Avery Lotz reports. What's next: SB 47 will now move to the House, where it will be assigned to a committee and considered for full advancement.
