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2013 SESSION
HB 1907 Handheld personal communications devices; mandatory minimum fine when convicted of reckless driving.
Introduced by: Richard L. Anderson | all patrons ... notes | add to my profiles | history
SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION:
Driving while texting; primary offense; increased penalties. Provides that driving while texting is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $125 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $250. The current penalties are $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also increases the punishment of any person convicted of reckless driving to include a $250 mandatory minimum fine if the person was texting at the time of the reckless driving offense. The bill also changes the offense from a secondary offense (one that can only be charged when the offender is stopped for another, separate offense) to a primary offense. The bill also provides that the Department of Criminal Justice Services shall make training on such offenses available to state and local law-enforcement agencies. The bill incorporates HB 1357, HB 1360, HB 1495, HB 1540, HB 1848, and HB 1883 and is identical to SB 1222.
SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:
Driving while texting; primary offense; increased penalties. Provides that driving while texting is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $250 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $500. The current penalties are $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also increases the punishment of any person convicted of reckless driving to include a $500 mandatory minimum fine if the person was texting at the time of the reckless driving offense. The bill also changes the offense from a secondary offense (one that can only be charged when the offender is stopped for another, separate offense) to a primary offense. The bill incorporates HB 1357, HB 1360, HB 1495, HB 1540, HB 1848, and HB 1883 and is identical to SB 1222.
SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:
Driving while texting; primary offense; increased penalties. Provides that driving while texting is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $250 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $500. The current penalties are $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second or subsequent offense. The bill also changes the offense from a secondary offense (one that can only be charged when the offender is stopped for another, separate offense) to a primary offense.