HB 88: "An Act relating to televisions, monitors, portable computers, and similar devices in motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date."
00 HOUSE BILL NO. 88 01 "An Act relating to televisions, monitors, portable computers, and similar devices in 02 motor vehicles; and providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. AS 28.35 is amended by adding a new section to read: 05 Sec. 28.35.161. Driving a motor vehicle with a television, monitor, or 06 similar device operating; unlawful installation of television, monitor, or similar 07 device. (a) A person commits the crime of driving with a screen operating if 08 (1) the person is driving the motor vehicle; 09 (2) the vehicle has, temporarily or permanently installed in the vehicle 10 or using power from the vehicle, a television, video monitor, portable computer, or 11 any other similar means to create a visual display visible to the person while the 12 person is driving the motor vehicle; and 13 (3) the monitor or visual display is operating while the person is 14 driving.
01 (b) A person may not install or alter equipment described in (a)(2) of this 02 section that allows the display to be visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion. 03 (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to 04 (1) portable cellular telephones; 05 (2) equipment that is displaying only 06 (A) audio equipment information, functions, and controls; 07 (B) vehicle information or controls related to speed, fuel level, 08 battery charge, and other vehicle safety or equipment information; 09 (C) navigation or global positioning; 10 (D) maps; 11 (E) visual information to enhance or supplement the driver's 12 view forward, behind, or to the sides of the motor vehicle for the purpose of 13 maneuvering the vehicle; 14 (F) vehicle dispatching and response information for motor 15 vehicles providing emergency road service or roadside assistance; or 16 (G) vehicle dispatching information for passenger transport or 17 freight or package delivery. 18 (d) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to equipment installed 19 in an emergency vehicle. In this subsection, "emergency vehicle" means a police, fire, 20 or emergency medical service vehicle. 21 (e) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under (b) of this section that 22 the equipment installed or altered also includes a device that, when the motor vehicle 23 is being driven, disables the equipment for all uses except those described in (c) of this 24 section. 25 (f) A person who violates (a) of this section is guilty of 26 (1) a class A misdemeanor, unless any of the circumstances described 27 in (2) - (4) of this subsection apply; 28 (2) a class C felony if the person's driving causes physical injury to 29 another person; 30 (3) a class B felony if the person's driving causes serious physical 31 injury to another person;
01 (4) a class A felony if the person's driving causes the death of another 02 person. 03 (g) A person who violates (b) of this section is guilty of a class A 04 misdemeanor. 05 * Sec. 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.