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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2225 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§291C- Mobile electronic devices; prohibitions. (a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device.
(b) The use of a mobile electronic device for the sole purpose of making a "911" emergency communication shall be an affirmative defense to this section.
(c) The following persons shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a):
(1) Emergency responders using a mobile electronic device while in the performance and scope of their official duties;
(2) Drivers using two-way radios while in the performance and scope of their work-related duties and who are operating fleet vehicles or who possess a commercial vehicle license; and
(3) Drivers holding a valid amateur radio operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and using a half-duplex two-way radio.
(d) Every person who violates this section shall be subject to the following:
(1) For a first infraction, or any infraction not preceded within one year by a prior violation of this section, a fine of at least $100 but less than $200;
(2) For an infraction that occurs within one year of a prior violation of this section, a fine of at least $200 but less than $300 and the suspension of the person's driver's license and privilege to operate a vehicle for a period of 30 days; and
(3) For an infraction that occurs within two years of two prior violations of this section, and for the fourth and each additional violation of this section, regardless of when the violation occurred, a fine of at least $300 but less than or equal to $500 and the suspension of the person's driver's license and privilege to operate a vehicle for a period of 90 days.
(e) As used in this section:
"Emergency responders" means any firefighters, emergency medical technicians, mobile intensive care technicians, civil defense workers, police officers, and federal and state law enforcement officers.
"Mobile electronic device" means any handheld or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing:
(1) Wireless audio, video, or data communication between two or more persons; or
(2) Amusement, including a cellular phone, text messaging device, paging device, personal digital assistant, laptop computer, video game, or digital photographic device;
provided that "mobile electronic device" does not include any audio equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purpose of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of the motor vehicle, or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of the motor vehicle.
"Operate" means to drive or assume actual physical control of a vehicle upon a public way, street, road, or highway in the State.
"Use or using" means holding a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle."
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.
Report Title:
Mobile Communications
Description:
Makes it unlawful to use a mobile communication device while operating a vehicle with exceptions for emergency responders, two-way radios used for work-related purposes, and licensed radio operators. Provides penalties. Effective July 1, 2010. (HB2225 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.