HB 128-BAN CELL PHONE USE BY MINORS WHEN DRIVING
2:21:21 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 128, "An Act relating to prohibiting the use
of cellular telephones by minors when driving motor vehicles;
and providing for an effective date."
2:21:33 PM
REPRESENTATIVE BERTA GARDNER, Alaska State Legislature, speaking
as the sponsor of HB 128, briefly recapped HB 128. She stated
that this bill pertains to cell phones and is as simple as
possible. The ban on cell phone usage only applies to minors,
who are the most vulnerable, impulsive, and the least
experienced drivers. It does not make any provision or
exception for hands-free use and cell phone use under the bill
is a secondary offense, meaning that there would be a potential
fine for someone who is stopped for a reason unrelated to cell
phone use. She offered that the committee is familiar with the
issues surrounding cell phone use.
2:22:35 PM
CHAIR P. WILSON commented that she takes issue with bills that
cannot be enforced. She did not think the legislature should
adopt unenforceable laws.
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER responded the law is based on age and it
is difficult to determine age which is why cell phone use by
teenagers in HB 128 is not a primary offense.
2:23:48 PM
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to adopt Amendment 1 to change
2011 to 2012. There being no objection, Amendment 1 was adopted
to change the last line from 2011 to 2012.
2:24:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report HB 128, as amended, out of
committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying
fiscal notes.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON objected. He stated that he has made his
position clear.
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Munoz, Gruenberg,
Petersen, and Wilson voted in favor of reporting HB 128, as
amended, from the House Transportation Standing Committee.
Representatives Johnson and Pruitt voted against it. Therefore,
CSHB 128(TRA) was reported from the House Transportation
Standing Committee by a vote of 4-2.