SB301 Alabama 2023 Session

Updated Jan 14, 2026

Senate Bill

Enacted

Current Status

Regular Session 2023

Session

Sponsor

Summary

Primary Sponsor: J.T. Waggoner Senator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2023
Title: Relating to motor vehicles; to add Section 32-5A-350.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the prohibition against using a wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle; to further provide for the prohibition; to further provide exceptions; to further provide criminal penalties for a violation; to provide a warning period for a violation; to amend Section 32-5A-351, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the assessment of administrative penalties; to repeal Section 32-5A-350, Code of Alabama 1975; 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 Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
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 further provide prohibitions against the use of a wireless telecommunications device and would provide additional clarifications and exceptions on the prohibition, including specifying that the prohibition does not apply to: (1) the use of an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct voice-based communications; (2) voice-based communications that are automatically converted by the device to be sent as a message in a written form; and (3) the use of the device for navigation of the vehicle or for global positioning system purposes.
This bill would further provide 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 revise the points received for a violation.
SB301 INTRODUCED Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, 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, wireless telecommunications devices, restrictions on use while driving, provided