SB144 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Jul 25, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Cam Ward
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Gerald H. Allen J.T. Waggoner Del Marsh Trip Pittman Arthur Orr Greg J. Reed Paul Bussman
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Motor vehicles, text messaging or operating a handheld wireless telecommunication device while operating a motor vehicle on public street, road, or highway prohibited, penalties, law enforcement agencies to report statistical information to Public Safety Department
Description: 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.
Subjects: Motor Vehicles