Two major bills passed the Minnesota House on Monday night, one limiting the use of cellphone by vehicle operators, the other designed to end the opiod crisis in the state.
The House voted 106-21 in favor of legislation making it illegal to drive while holding a cell phone.
A similar bill in the Senate has an exemption for GPS navigation systems.
Gov. Walz is in favor of the House proposal.
Among the earliest supports of the hands free bill, Vee Jay Dixet, was among those in the House gallery when the vote took place.
"My daughter was killed in 2007," he said. "Since that time more than 4,000, or close to 5,000, more have died on the roads."
Right now, 16 states and the District of Columbia have laws banning cellphone use by motorists unless they use hands-free technology.
The anti-opioid bill passed 94-34, calling for an increase of fees that pharmaceutical companies must pay to sell their drugs in the state.
"It also ensures long-overdue accountability to drug makers who have profited off this crisis," said bill sponsor Rep. Liz Olson (D-Duluth).
GOP House leader Kurt Daudt argued that the bill would raise health care costs for all Minnesotans.
The measure also includes strategies for prevention, education intervention, training and treatment.
A similar bill in the Senate is scheduled for a committee hearing on Tuesday.