81R10046 TRH-D
By: Pierson H.B. No. 1880
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an enhanced penalty for an operator who commits certain
traffic offenses while using a wireless communication device to
read, write, or send a text-based communication.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 542, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 542.407 to read as follows:
Sec. 542.407. PENALTY FOR OFFENSE COMMITTED WHILE USING
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE. An offense under this subtitle is
punishable by a fine that is at least twice the minimum fine
applicable to the offense and not more than twice the maximum fine
that is applicable to the offense if the person who commits the
offense is at the time of the offense operating a motor vehicle
while using a wireless communication device to read, write, or send
a text-based communication.
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
covered 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 occurred before that date.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.