INDIANAPOLIS— State Senator Mark Spencer’s (D-Gary) Senate Bill (SB) 331 passed unanimously out of the Senate on third reading in a win for public safety.

SB 331, which came to fruition from close collaboration with local law enforcement, ensures that registration records for passenger vehicles are up to date by requiring updates if the color of a vehicle is changed by paint or vinyl wrap.

“This bill is about giving our law enforcement another tool for their toolbox,” said Spencer. “It is important that when an emerging practice presents itself, we as policymakers respond.”

This marks Spencer’s first bill to make it out of the Senate and he expressed gratitude for the bipartisan support of this common-sense legislation.

“I am thankful for Sen. Crider (R-Greenfield) for hearing this bill in committee and working with me to get it to where it is today,” said Spencer.

Spencer also recognized Sen. Rodney Pol Jr.’s (D-Chesterton) early involvement with the legislation as well as the support of Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) and the other co-authors of the bill.

SB 331 will head to the House of Representatives, where, in a further display of bipartisan support, it is being sponsored by Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point).