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House Bill 347 |
House Author: Pitts et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-13 |
Senate Sponsor: Nichols |
House Bill 347 amends the Transportation Code to make it a misdemeanor offense to use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle on the property of a public school for which a local authority has designated a school crossing zone, during the time a reduced speed limit is in effect for the school crossing zone, unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. The bill exempts certain motor vehicle operators from this prohibition and establishes an affirmative defense to prosecution for the offense if the wireless communication device was used to make an emergency call to certain individuals or entities. The bill provides that its provisions preempt all local ordinances, rules, or regulations that are inconsistent with specific provisions of the bill adopted by a political subdivision of Texas relating to the use of a wireless communication device by the operator of a motor vehicle, except that a political subdivision may by ordinance or rule prohibit the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle throughout the jurisdiction of the political subdivision.