Bill Text: TX HB27 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 27 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-26 - No action taken in committee [HB27 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB27-Introduced.html



	By: Martinez Fischer	H.B. No. 27



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the creation of an offense for certain prohibited uses
	of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 545.425, Transportation Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.425. USE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE [BY
	~~CERTAIN MOTORISTS~~]. (a) An operator [~~A person~~] may not use a
	wireless communication device while operating a passenger bus with
	a minor passenger on the bus except in case of emergency or if the
	passenger bus is stopped [~~not in motion~~].
	(b) An operator may not use a wireless communication device
	to read, write, or send a text message while operating a motor
	vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped. This subsection does not
	apply if:
	(1) the operator is a peace officer or an emergency
	response provider; and
	(2) the use of the wireless communication device is in
	connection with official duties.
	(c) An offense under Subsection (b) is punishable by a fine
	of not less than $2 or more than $400 if the person who commits the
	offense is at the time of the offense operating a motor vehicle in a
	school crossing zone.
	SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
	An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and
	the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
	purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
	effective date of this Act if any element of the offense was
	committed before that date.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013
	.