The Florida Senate declined to take up a measure before the legislative session ended last month that would create a primary law for seat-belt enforcement.

The bill’s House sponsor, however, said he wouldn’t give up the fight.

According to The Palm Beach Post, Senate President Jim King, R-Jacksonville, refused to bring up the proposal for a vote, citing concerns about racial profiling and “Big Brotherhood.”

Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, drivers could be pulled over solely for not wearing their seat belts. Currently, police can ticket drivers only after stopping a vehicle for another traffic violation.

If ultimately signed into law, it could put the state in line for additional funding from the federal government.

An incentive program recently introduced in Congressencourages states to increase seat-belt enforcement. The program would give states three years to enact a primary seat-belt law or reach a rate of usage of at least 90 percent.

Failure to do one or the other would result in a loss of up to 4 percent of federal highway funds to the state.

Slosberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Dori was killed in a 1996 crash while not wearing a seat belt, told the newspaper he’s hopeful that the climate would change next year when Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, assumes the Senate’s leadership post.

“Next year is another year,” Slosberg said. “In the Legislature, safety comes in inches.”