Highlights from the Legislature on Monday:
— The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would require a local government with territory within 2 miles of a military installation to submit to the installation commanding officer any zoning changes that would affect the mission (House Bill 1205).
— The House approved and sent to the governor a measure (Senate Bill 15) changes from 18 to 16 1/2 the age at which a minor is required to obtain behind-the-wheel training to obtain a driver’s license.
— The House approved a measure (Senate Bill 115) that would make it easier for nursing homes and hospitals to use or donate discarded medication. Lawmakers hope the change will lead to unused medications being sent to medical clinics in Haiti. The bill goes back to the Senate for consideration of amendments.
— The House approved a bill (House Bill 1164) that requires drivers to appoint their insurance companies to act as their agents in the event that the at-fault driver cannot be located. The bill also creates an incentive for insurance companies to locate deadbeat drivers. The bill goes back to the Senate for review of amendments.
— The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill (House Bill 1267) making it more affordable for homeowners to lease solar panels. The bill exempts property taxes for homeowner who purchase or lease solar panels for their homes.
— The House gave initial approval to a measure (House Bill 1166) that requires automobile, health care, dental, and long-term care insurance policies to be written at or below a 10th grade reading level. This bill would also require the text of policies and plans be written in 10-point font or larger. The bill faces a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
— The Senate backed adding a line to state income forms for people to make donations to help unwanted horses (Senate Bill 109). The measure now goes to the House.
