Bill Text: HI SB275 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 275 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Vehicles; Cellular Telephones; Counties

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB275 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB275-Introduced.html

Report Title:

Vehicles; Cellular Telephones; Counties

Description:

Prohibits drivers from using cellular telephones while operating a motor vehicle unless it is a hands-free device or for emergency use. Provides for fines and forfeiture of cellular telephone. Distributes one-half of fines and forfeitures collected to the county where the offense occurs.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	275
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to traffic violations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 291, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§291- Use of cellular telephones while driving prohibited; exceptions. (a) Except as provided in subsection (c), no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway while using a cellular telephone, unless the cellular telephone is a hands-free device.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall:

(1) Be fined not more than $ ; and

(2) Have the cellular telephone forfeited pursuant to chapter 712A.

(1) The use of a cellular telephone to report a medical or public safety emergency, or to obtain assistance for a medical or public safety emergency; or

(2) The use of a cellular telephone by police officers, firefighters, or emergency services personnel, while in the performance of their official duties.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "hands-free device" means any device or accessory that permits a person to use a cellular telephone without lifting or holding the handset to the person's ear.

(e) The state director of finance shall transmit to each county, not more than thirty days after the end of each fiscal quarter, fifty per cent of all fines and forfeitures collected for convictions of persons charged with violations of this section that are committed in that county."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.