By: Craddick, Cook, Lucio III, Harless, Wu, H.B. No. 80
et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of a portable wireless communication device
while operating a motor vehicle; creating a criminal offense;
modifying existing criminal penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Alex Brown Memorial
Act.
SECTION 2. Sections 521.161(b) and (c), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) The examination must include:
(1) a test of the applicant's:
(A) vision;
(B) ability to identify and understand highway
signs in English that regulate, warn, or direct traffic;
(C) knowledge of the traffic laws of this state;
[and]
(D) knowledge of motorists' rights and
responsibilities in relation to bicyclists; and
(E) knowledge of the effect of using a wireless
communication device, or engaging in other actions that may
distract a driver, on the safe or effective operation of a motor
vehicle;
(2) a demonstration of the applicant's ability to
exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a
motor vehicle of the type that the applicant will be licensed to
operate; and
(3) any additional examination the department finds
necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor
vehicle safely.
(c) The department shall give each applicant the option of
taking the parts of the examination under Subsections (b)(1)(B),
(C), [and] (D), and (E) in writing in addition to or instead of
through a mechanical, electronic, or other testing method. If the
applicant takes that part of the examination in writing in addition
to another testing method, the applicant is considered to have
passed that part of the examination if the applicant passes either
version of the examination. The department shall inform each
person taking the examination of the person's rights under this
subsection.
SECTION 3. Section 545.424, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(g) An offense under Subsection (a) or (b) is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of at least $25 and not more than $99 unless it
is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been
previously convicted at least one time of an offense under this
section, in which event the offense is punishable by a fine of at
least $100 and not more than $200.
SECTION 4. Section 545.425(a)(1), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(1) "Hands-free device" means speakerphone
capability, [or] a telephone attachment, or another function or
other piece of equipment, regardless of whether permanently
installed in or on a wireless communication device or in a [the]
motor vehicle, that allows use of the wireless communication device
without use of either of the operator's hands, except to activate or
deactivate a function of the wireless communication device or
hands-free device.
SECTION 5. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Sections 545.4251 and 545.4253 to read as
follows:
Sec. 545.4251. USE OF PORTABLE WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
DEVICE TO SEND TEXT-BASED COMMUNICATION; OFFENSE. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Text-based communication" means data, other than
a telephone number or global positioning system data, that is read
from or manually entered into a wireless communication device for
the purpose of communicating with another person, including an SMS
text, e-mail, or instant message.
(2) "Wireless communication device" has the meaning
assigned by Section 545.425.
(b) An operator commits an offense if the operator uses a
portable wireless communication device to read, write, or send a
text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle unless the
vehicle is stopped.
(c) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (b) that
the operator used a portable wireless communication device:
(1) in conjunction with voice-operated technology, a
push-to-talk function, or a hands-free device, as defined by
Section 545.425;
(2) to report illegal activity or summon emergency
help;
(3) to read a text-based communication that the person
reasonably believed concerned an emergency; or
(4) that was affixed to the vehicle to relay
information between the operator and a dispatcher in the course of
the operator's occupational duties.
(d) Subsection (b) does not apply to an operator who is
licensed by the Federal Communications Commission while operating a
radio frequency device other than a portable wireless communication
device.
(e) This section preempts all local ordinances, rules, or
other regulations adopted by a political subdivision relating to
the use of a portable wireless communication device by the operator
of a motor vehicle to read, write, or send a text-based
communication.
(f) A political subdivision may by ordinance, rule, or other
regulation prohibit or regulate the use of a portable wireless
communication device, other than to read, write, or send a
text-based communication, while operating a motor vehicle.
(g) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of at least $25 and not more than $99 unless it
is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been
previously convicted at least one time of an offense under this
section, in which event the offense is punishable by a fine of at
least $100 and not more than $200.
(h) A peace officer who stops a motor vehicle for an alleged
violation of this section may not take possession of or otherwise
inspect a portable wireless communication device in the possession
of the operator unless authorized by the Code of Criminal
Procedure, the Penal Code, or other law.
Sec. 545.4253. NOTIFICATION OF STATE LAWS ON USE OF
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE; SIGNS REQUIRED. (a)
In this
section:
(1) "Wireless communication device" has the meaning
assigned by Section 545.425.
(2) "Rest area" means public real property designated
as a rest area, comfort station, picnic area, roadside park, or
scenic overlook by the Texas Department of Transportation.
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation shall post a sign
providing notice to an operator of a motor vehicle of the laws that
apply to the use of a wireless communication device while operating
a motor vehicle in this state:
(1) at each point at which an interstate highway or
United States highway enters this state;
(2) in a prominent location at each rest area; and
(3) at each exit point from a public airport on a road
maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.
(c) The Texas Department of Transportation shall by rule
adopt standards for signs described by Subsection (b).
(d) A sign posted under Subsection (b) must inform an
operator of a motor vehicle that:
(1) the use of a portable wireless communication
device to read, write, or send a text-based communication while
operating a motor vehicle is prohibited in this state;
(2) the use of a wireless communication device while
operating a motor vehicle in a school crossing zone or on school
property is prohibited in this state under certain circumstances;
(3) additional restrictions on the use of a wireless
communication device while operating a motor vehicle may apply in
political subdivisions; and
(4) the operator is subject to a fine if the operator
uses a wireless communication device in violation of a state or
local law.
(e) The Texas Department of Transportation shall include on
any state highway map published by that department the information
described by Subsection (d).
SECTION 6. Section 708.052, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows:
(e-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the department may
not assign points to a person's license if the offense of which the
person was convicted is the offense of using a portable wireless
communication device to send a text-based communication as
described by Section 545.4251.
SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter
545, Transportation Code, apply 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 on
the date 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 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.