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• HB 1080 seeks to reinstate the "points-system" for suspending drivers' licenses for speeding offenses. This issue is nothing new to some of the veteran drivers out there. In the mid-1990's this portion of the law was repealed. Points for certain moving violations remained on the books. Under this proposal, an element of subjectivity would be placed on the books that will change every judicial deliberation relative to traffic tickets. The bill inserts the words "for which points MAY BE ASSESSED" (emphasis added) to the existing law for DWI, reckless driving, eluding, drag racing, etc., in addition to adding the points-structure for speeding. Essentially, in an effort to reinstate the law that was previously repealed, the bill would also allow a judge to exercise discretion by lowering the points associated with more egregious violations. The bill had been killed 9-4 by the Transportation Committee, but through a maneuver called a "smoke-out" it was revived. In the end, the bill passed the House 37-32. I voted against the measure.
• HB 1235 has taken some twists and turns throughout this session. Originally, the bill had to do with elections. Through the amendment process, it was turned into a bill that sought to repeal the Regional Watershed Advisory Task Force that has been working to address drainage issues on flooded lands. When the bill came to the floor, it was again amended to continue with the drainage task force (thankfully), but to better-fund the commission. When the 2012 Legislature established the RWATF, there weren't sufficient resources allocated to conduct hearings, etc. In its current form, private and public dollars can be used for such meetings. Hopefully the language contained in the bill will remain substantially similar to the version that

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