00                             HOUSE BILL NO. 12                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to televisions and monitors in motor vehicles."                                                        
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1.  AS 28.35 is amended by adding a new section to read:                                                 
04            Sec. 28.35.161.  Operation of a motor vehicle while watching a television                                  
05       or a monitor; installation of televisions and monitors in motor vehicles.  (a)  A                               
06       person may not drive a motor vehicle while watching a television receiver, a video                                
07       monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying                          
08       a television broadcast or video signal that is located in the vehicle and that produces                           
09       entertainment or business applications.                                                                           
10            (b)  A person may not install in a motor vehicle a television receiver, a video                              
11       monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying                          
12       a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business                                    
13       applications that is capable of being viewed by the driver of the motor vehicle while                             
14       the motor vehicle is moving.  An interlock or other mechanism that removes power                                  
15       from the unit while the motor vehicle is in motion meets the requirements of this                                 

01       subsection.                                                                                                       
02            (c)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to the following                                   
03       equipment when installed in a motor vehicle:                                                                      
04                 (1)  a vehicle information display;                                                                     
05                 (2)  a Global Positioning System display;                                                               
06                 (3)  a mapping display;                                                                                 
07                 (4)  a visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view                                   
08       forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the                            
09       vehicle;                                                                                                          
10                 (5)  a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or                               
11       any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal if                          
12       that equipment has an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables                           
13       the equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in (1) - (4) of this                           
14       subsection.                                                                                                       
15            (d)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to a mobile digital                                
16       terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing                             
17       emergency road service or roadside assistance.                                                                    
18            (e)  A person who violates (a) of this section is guilty of a                                                
19                 (1)  class A misdemeanor;                                                                               
20                 (2)  class C felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
21       a physical injury;                                                                                                
22                 (3)  class B felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
23       serious physical injury;                                                                                          
24                 (4)  class A felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
25       death.                                                                                                            
26            (f)  A person who violates (b) of this section is guilty of a class A                                        
27       misdemeanor and may only be punished by imposition of a fine of not less than                                     
28       $2,500 and not more than $10,000.