00                      CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 12(STA)                                                                     
01 "An Act relating to televisions, monitors, portable computers, and similar devices in                                   
02 motor vehicles."                                                                                                        
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 while watching a television,                                      
06       monitor, or similar device; installation of televisions, monitors, and similar                                  
07       devices in motor vehicles.  (a)  A person may not drive a motor vehicle while                                   
08       watching a                                                                                                        
09                      (1)  television receiver, a video monitor, laptop type portable                                    
10            computer, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually                               
11            displaying a television broadcast or video signal that is located in the vehicle                             
12            and that produces entertainment or business applications; or                                                 
13                      (2)  device that is visible to or is intended to be viewed by the                                  
14            driver and that would visually distract the driver, excluding devices used in the                            

01            operation of the vehicle.                                                                                    
02            (b)  A person may not install in a motor vehicle a television receiver, a video                              
03       monitor, a television or video screen, or any other similar means of visually displaying                          
04       a television broadcast or video signal that produces entertainment or business                                    
05       applications that is capable of being viewed by the driver of the motor vehicle while                             
06       the motor vehicle is moving.  A device that disables the unit while the motor vehicle is                          
07       in motion meets the requirements of this subsection.                                                              
08            (c)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to the following                                   
09       equipment when installed in a motor vehicle:                                                                      
10                 (1)  a vehicle information display;                                                                     
11                 (2)  a  navigation or global positioning display;                                                       
12                 (3)  a mapping display;                                                                                 
13                 (4)  a visual display used to enhance or supplement the driver's view                                   
14       forward, behind, or to the sides of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the                            
15       vehicle;                                                                                                          
16                 (5)  a television receiver, video monitor, television or video screen, or                               
17       any other similar means of visually displaying a television broadcast or video signal if                          
18       that equipment has a device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the                                  
19       equipment for all uses except as a visual display as described in (1) - (4) of this                               
20       subsection.                                                                                                       
21            (d)  Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to a mobile digital                                
22       terminal installed in an authorized emergency vehicle or to a motor vehicle providing                             
23       emergency road service or roadside assistance.                                                                    
24            (e)  A person who violates (a) of this section is guilty of a                                                
25                 (1)  class A misdemeanor;                                                                               
26                 (2)  class C felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
27       a physical injury;                                                                                                
28                 (3)  class B felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
29       serious physical injury;                                                                                          
30                 (4)  class A felony if as a result of that violation another person suffers                             
31       death.                                                                                                            

01            (f)  A person who violates (b) of this section is guilty of a class A                                        
02       misdemeanor and may only be punished by imposition of a fine of not less than                                     
03       $2,500 and not more than $10,000.