Currently, there is no specific prohibition against operating a motor vehicle while electronic text messaging.
This bill would prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle while text messaging; would provide penalties; and would provide exceptions.
Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose.
The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment.
Further Consideration
Singleton motion to Carry Over Temporarily adopted Voice Vote
Third Reading Carried Over
Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar
Engrossed
Cosponsors Added
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass adopted Roll Call 155
Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 154
Newton (C) Amendment Offered
Motion to Adopt adopted Roll Call 153
Public Safety and Homeland Security Amendment Offered
Third Reading Passed
Read for the second time and placed on the calendar 1 amendment
Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Source: Alabama Legislature