Speliotis sees momentum for handheld cellphone ban for drivers

Speliotis sees momentum for handheld cellphone ban for drivers

When the House finishes its deliberations on the state budget this week, the Legislature will have 13 weeks left to finish its formal business for the two-year session. A ban on using a hand-held devices while driving appears to be among the select items on the House's agenda for the final stretch of the session.

"That's one of the bill's that is gaining some momentum from members and I think it's something we're going to look at," Rep. Ted Speliotis, chairman of the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading, told the News Service. "Clearly that's something that has some support out there, so I'm sure we'll look at it after the budget."

GOP succeeds with surprise bid for ‘secure’ Mass. IDs
Massachusetts

GOP succeeds with surprise bid for ‘secure’ Mass. IDs

State House News Service

BOSTON – Lawmakers in the House of Representatives attached to the annual state spending bill a section sponsored by the Republican leadership that would bring Massachusetts into compliance with the federal Real ID Act, over the objections of some Democrats who were caught off guard Wednesday by the major policy decision.

The Real ID Act, a federal post-2001 anti-terrorism initiative, requires states to begin issuing secure and compliant forms of identification that for many residents will replace their current driver's licenses.

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