By: Craddick, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini)	H.B. No. 80
	(In the Senate - Received from the House March 30, 2015;
	April 21, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on State
	Affairs; May 12, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable
	Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 2;
	May 12, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 80	By:  Zaffirini

	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 Section 545.4251 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 permanently or temporarily affixed to the
	vehicle to relay information in the course of the operator's
	occupational duties between the operator and:
	(A)  a dispatcher; or
	(B)  a digital network or software application
	service.
	(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)  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.
	(g)  The Texas Department of Transportation shall post a sign
	at each point at which an interstate highway or United States
	highway enters this state that informs an operator 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; and
	(2)  the operator is subject to a fine if the operator
	uses a portable wireless communication device to read, write, or
	send a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle in
	this state.
	(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.
	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.
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