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  1. Bama Politics
  2. Alabama
  3. Alabama House & Senate Bills
  4. 2019 Alabama Legislative Regular Session
  5. 2019 Alabama House Bills
  6. HB6 Alabama 2019 Session

HB6 Alabama 2019 Session

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In Committee

Bill Summary

Sponsors
  • Allen Farley
Session
Regular Session 2019
Title
Motor vehicles, distracted driving, use of cell phone while operating a motor vehicle prohibited, exceptions
Description

Under existing law, a person is prohibited from using a wireless telecommunication device to write, send, or read text or data while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions. This bill would include a standalone electronic device within the prohibition against writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle

This bill would prohibit a person from holding or otherwise using his or her body to support a wireless communication device or standalone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle

This bill would prohibit a person from using a wireless telecommunication device or standalone electronic device to watch, record, or capture a photograph or video while operating a motor vehicle

Under existing law, certain uses of a wireless telecommunication device are exempted from the restrictions in existing law

This bill would add the following to the list of activities exempted from the section: Hands free voice-based communications, with an exception; continuous recording devices, including dash cameras and backup cameras; utility service employees or contractors responding to a utility emergency; and law enforcement and other first responders during the performance of official duties

Existing law levies a criminal fine for a violation based on the number of prior convictions of the section. This bill would increase the fine authorized

Existing law provides that a conviction is reflected on the person's driving record as a two-point violation. This bill would provide that a third or subsequent violation of the section would be reflected on the person's driving record as a three-point violation

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

Relating to motor vehicles; to amend Sections 32-5A-350 and 32-5A-351, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the prohibition against writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit a person from holding or otherwise using his or her body from supporting a wireless communication device or standalone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit a person from using a wireless telecommunication device or standalone electronic device to watch, record, or capture a photograph or video while operating a motor vehicle; to further provide exemptions; to increase the fine authorized; to provide further for administrative penalties for a violation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of 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.

Subjects
Motor Vehicles

Bill Actions

Action DateChamberAction
April 25, 2019HFarley motion to Indefinitely Postpone adopted Voice Vote
April 25, 2019HPublic Safety and Homeland Security Amendment Offered
April 25, 2019HPublic Safety and Homeland Security Amendment Offered
April 25, 2019HThird Reading Indefinitely Postponed
March 20, 2019HRead for the second time and placed on the calendar 2 amendments
March 5, 2019HRead for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Bill Calendar

TypeDateLocationDescription
HearingMarch 20, 2019Room 206 at 09:00House PS&HS Hearing

Bill Text

Download HB6 Alabama 2019 Session PDF

Bill Documents

TypeLink
Bill Text HB6 Alabama 2019 Session - Introduced
Bill Amendments House Public Safety and Homeland Security second Amendment Offered
Bill Amendments House Public Safety and Homeland Security first Amendment Offered
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