Bill S.144, introduced by Senators Vyhovsky and Gulick, aims to reform the enforcement of certain motor vehicle violations by establishing a system of secondary enforcement. Under this bill, specific offenses, such as failure to carry a registration certificate and operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license, can only be enforced if a law enforcement officer has already detained the vehicle operator for another suspected violation. Additionally, the bill prohibits law enforcement officers from requesting consent to search the vehicle or its occupants following a stop for a moving violation, unless there is reasonable suspicion of an independent criminal offense.

The bill also includes provisions that restrict law enforcement from stopping or detaining a vehicle operator for misdemeanor warrants unless they pertain to serious offenses, such as operating under the influence or domestic assault. Furthermore, any evidence obtained in violation of these new restrictions would be deemed inadmissible in criminal proceedings. The proposed changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, if passed.