Bill: SB 15, 85(1) - 2017

Committee

Senate Business & Commerce

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Don Huffines

Bill Caption

Relating to prosecution of certain offenses involving and preemption of local regulation of the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

SB 15 would preempt existing local laws regarding use of a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, effectively leaving in place one uniform statewide law as enacted during the regular session of the 85th legislature.

Vote Recommendation Notes

During the regular session we opposed statewide "texting while driving" ban. In our view it was unnecessary and the wrong level of government to address the issue. Now that the law has been enacted, it makes sense to have the statewide law preempt existing local laws so that motorists are not confused by which law applies or potentially be liable for local and state penalties. So long as a statewide law exists there is no reason to have local laws which may ban different activities or carry different penalties making compliance with the law more difficult and penalties too harsh. For this reason we support SB 15 as uplifting to the principle of limited government. 

Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 01:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85s1/sb15?print_view=true