HB611 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

K.L. Brown Representative

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Reed Ingram

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Motor vehicles, distracted driving, use of cell phone while operating a motor vehicle prohibited, exceptions, Secs. 32-5A-353 to 32-5A-358, inclusive, added; Sec. 32-5A-350 repealed; Secs. 32-5A-351, 32-5A-352, am'd and renumbered, 32-10-8 am'd.

Description

Under existing law, a person is prohibited from using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions.

This bill would prohibit a person from watching, viewing, recording, or capturing a photograph or video while operating a motor vehicle; would prohibit a person from physically holding a wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle; and would prohibit a person from engaging in a voice-based communication while operating a motor vehicle, with exceptions to the prohibitions.

This bill would also further for the criminal penalties associated with a violation.

Under existing law, a conviction for using a wireless telecommunications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication is a two-point violation on the individual's driving record.

This bill would provide that on a third or subsequent conviction the individual would receive a three-point violation on the individual's driving record.

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.

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Subjects

Motor Vehicles