The Oregon Senate voted Tuesday for a bill that would limit the number of reasons police officers could use to initiate a traffic stop.
Senate Bill 1510 is meant to address systemic racism experienced by people who are disproportionately pulled over for traffic violations. The measure would prohibit officers from stopping a driver for a single broken headlight or taillight, or three other minor infractions.
Senate Judiciary chair Floyd Prozanski, a Eugene Democrat, said officers could still write tickets for those offenses if they’ve pulled over someone for a moving violation, like speeding.
“What we’ve said is we’ve taken five of those small tools in the toolbox, and said you cannot stop someone primarily for that," he said. "That’s all we’re saying.”
Opponents said the bill would limit the ability of law enforcement to maintain public safety.
The measure narrowly passed the Senate and now heads to the Oregon House.