MN House panel votes no on porn-free hotel bill
by The Associated Press

ST. PAUL -- A bill that would prohibit Minnesota government employees from staying in hotels with pay-per-view pornography has failed in a House committee.

The bill sponsored by Democratic Rep. Larry Haws of St. Cloud was voted down Wednesday in the House State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections committee with a voice vote.

The legislation would prevent state workers from booking rooms at in-state hotels or meeting facilities where customers can order pornographic films, specifically those that link sex with violence.

Adult movies on cable channels would be OK.

A companion bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Tarryl Clark, also from St. Cloud, passed a Senate committee last week and has made it to the Senate floor.

It awaits a final vote.