00 HOUSE BILL NO. 255 01 "An Act prohibiting the driver of a motor vehicle from reading or typing a text message 02 or other nonvoice message or communication on a cellular telephone, computer, or 03 personal data assistant while driving a motor vehicle." 04 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 05  * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 06 to read: 07 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is expressly to provide that the 08 use of a cellular telephone, computer, personal data assistant, or any other similar means for 09 texting or communicating in a manner proscribed by AS 28.35.161 is prohibited. It is the 10 opinion of the legislature that the use of these devices in a manner proscribed by 11 AS 28.35.161 is currently illegal in the state. 12  * Sec. 2. AS 28.35.161(a) is amended to read: 13 (a) A person commits the crime of driving while texting, while  14 communicating on a computer, or while [WITH] a screen device is operating if [(1)] 01 the person is driving a motor vehicle, and  02 (1) [; (2)] the vehicle has a television, video monitor, portable 03 computer, or any other similar means capable of providing a visual display that is in 04 full view of a driver in a normal driving position while the vehicle is in motion, and [; 05 AND (3)] the monitor or visual display is operating while the person is driving; or  06 (2) the person is reading or typing a text message or other  07 nonvoice message or communication on a cellular telephone, personal data  08 assistant, computer, or any other similar means capable of providing a visual  09 display that is in the view of the driver in a normal driving position while the  10 vehicle is in motion and while the person is driving. 11  * Sec. 3. AS 28.35.161(b) is amended to read: 12 (b) A person may not install or alter equipment described in (a) [(a)(2)] of this 13 section that allows the images to be viewed by the driver in a normal driving position 14 while the vehicle is in motion. 15  * Sec. 4. AS 28.35.161(c) is amended to read: 16 (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to 17 (1) portable cellular telephones or personal data assistants being used 18 for voice [VERBAL] communication or displaying caller identification information; 19 (2) equipment that is displaying only 20 (A) audio equipment information, functions, and controls; 21 (B) vehicle information or controls related to speed, fuel level, 22 battery charge, and other vehicle safety or equipment information; 23 (C) navigation or global positioning; 24 (D) maps; 25 (E) visual information to 26 (i) enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, 27 behind, or to the sides of the motor vehicle for the purpose of 28 maneuvering the vehicle; or 29 (ii) allow the driver to monitor vehicle occupants seated 30 behind the driver; 31 (F) vehicle dispatching and response information for motor 01 vehicles providing emergency road service or roadside assistance; 02 (G) vehicle dispatching information for passenger transport or 03 freight or package delivery; 04 (H) information for use in performing highway construction, 05 maintenance, or repair or data acquisition by the Department of Transportation 06 and Public Facilities or a municipality; or 07 (I) information for use in performing utility construction, 08 maintenance, repair, or data acquisition by a public utility; in this 09 subparagraph, "public utility" has the meaning given in AS 42.05.990.