Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
03/19/2008 09:30 AM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB183 | |
| SB259 | |
| SB260 | |
| HB88 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | SB 183 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 259 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 260 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | HB 88 | ||
HB 88-TVS AND MONITORS IN MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAIR MCGUIRE announced the consideration of HB 88. [Before the
committee was CSHB 88(FIN).]
10:21:46 AM
REPRESENTATIVE MAX GRUENBERG, Alaska State Legislature, said HB
88 has passed the House three times, and it prohibits watching a
visual display while driving. There was a fatal accident a few
years ago because of this activity. The state should ban this
type of thing. This is a no-brainer; no one should be watching a
video while driving. However, there are people who don't have
mature judgment, but "hopefully we do." Chair McGuire is
personally familiar the family [in the accident]. HB 88 has been
through many committees and has wide support.
10:23:29 AM
CHAIR MCGUIRE said perhaps there should be a law against poor
judgment. If nothing else, the publicity surrounding this bill
will enlighten someone. She doesn't know what brings a person to
watch a movie and drive, but it may be generational.
SENATOR GREEN asked if this bill will really make a difference
to someone who would do this and other goofy things such as
drinking and driving. There is a segment of the population this
won't mean anything to. It doesn't speak highly of Alaskans to
tell them not to watch TV while they are driving.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG agreed. People who drive while they are
intoxicated might not listen to laws until they are thrown in
jail. The penalty is now simply an infraction, and the bill will
raise it to a serious felony. It makes it negligent manslaughter
if someone is killed.
10:25:53 AM
SENATOR FRENCH asked why cell phones and personal data
assistants are exempt.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he couldn't get it through
committees, and his cosponsor doesn't support it. He would like
it expanded, but he wants to get this through.
SENATOR STEVENS said he doesn't understand why it says a front
seat passenger watching a video display is not a violation. "It
seems like it would be a distraction -- a front seat [passenger]
watching an IPOD or some kind of video display. It seems like it
would be a distraction to the driver."
CHAIR MCGUIRE said it happens by definition. The bill defines
the unlawful act as the person who is driving and watching. If
it is a passenger, the law doesn't apply.
SENATOR FRENCH noted that navigational displays are also exempt.
Someone can look at a cell phone or a GPS.
10:28:12 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the GPS, yes. But a driver cannot
watch a visual cell phone display. A person can talk on it; page
2, line 8, says that audio equipment is okay.
SENATOR FRENCH said his wife has a cell phone that shows a
caller's image when it rings. Is that okay?
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said as long as she doesn't have an
accident from looking at it. The problem arises if she is doing
that and an accident results.
10:29:41 AM
SENATOR FRENCH noted that it is an A misdemeanor to drive a
motor vehicle with a video monitor or other similar means of
providing a visual display in full view of a driver while the
vehicle is in motion. "That's an I-Phone with my picture on it."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said he stands corrected.
CHAIR MCGUIRE said line 5 on page 2 specifically exempts cell
phones or personal data assistants being used for verbal
communication.
10:30:43 AM
SENATOR FRENCH said he will work on it in judiciary.
SENATOR GREEN asked if she would be in violation if she had a
television in the front of her 1990 van.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said, yes, if it can be seen by the
driver while driving.
SENATOR GREEN asked, "Even if it's not on?"
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said not if it is equipped with a
locking device that allows it to turn on when the vehicle is
stopped or if it is only visible to passengers.
SENATOR FRENCH said if it is turned off, it is not a violation.
10:32:16 AM
CHAIR MCGUIRE said there are a lot of vans that have a DVD
player for the children, but it would need to be viewed by the
driver in a normal driving position to be prohibited.
SENATOR FRENCH moved to report CS for HB 88 from committee with
individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There
being no objection, CSHB 88(FIN) moved out of committee.
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