78R1029 JRJ-D

By:  Moreno of El Paso                                            H.B. No. 281



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an offense of using a telephone while operating a motor 
vehicle.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.   Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 545.425 to read as follows:
	Sec. 545.425.  USE OF TELEPHONE; OFFENSE.  (a)  An operator 
may not use a telephone while operating a motor vehicle unless:
		(1)  the vehicle is stopped; or                                        
		(2)  the telephone is used without use of either of the 
operator's hands.
	(b)  An offense under this section is a misdemeanor 
punishable by a fine of not less than $25 or more than $100.
	SECTION 2.   This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.