Highlights from Week Seven

Week seven of the session saw much movement of bills in both houses. Here are some of the highlights:

HF 2456 – Texting While Driving.
The bill passed the Senate this week with an amendment to include a prohibition on reading texts or emails while driving. The prohibition on reading texts was initially left out of the bill since there is not a corresponding prohibition on reading other things like newspapers or one’s GPS monitor. The bill as amended is sitting in the House.

SF 2246 – City Regulation of Taxi Cabs.
This bill is on its way to the Governor for signing, and allows for local authority in exercising home rule powers in the regulation of taxi cabs and limos. What it accomplishes, is that cities would be able choose what taxi cab and limo companies can operate within the city’s limits to ensure only responsible and trustworthy companies are offering services to citizens.

SF 2220 – Motor Carrier Contracts.
Another bill on its way to the Governor; this prohibits certain indemnity provisions from contracts between motor carriers and the shippers/warehouses, in which the motor carrier would be liable for damages caused by the warehouse’s negligence. This bill places the blame where due – motor carriers will no longer be responsible for the costly mistakes caused by shippers in loading or unloading goods from trucks.

HF 758 – Increases Damages for Wrongful Death.
Amendments were filed this week on this bill that was introduced last year. The bill will allow additional damages awarded to a spouse or child for loss of the decedent’s enjoyment of life. These damages are in addition to those awarded for loss of the economic productive value of the decedent had he lived. Passage of this bill would have the effect of greatly increasing the cost of insurance to motor carriers and all businesses.

The second funnel deadline is next Friday March 5, whereby House bills must be voted out of Senate committees and Senate bills out of House committees.