Senate subcommittee advances hands‑free distracted driving bill after amendments

A subcommittee of the Senate Transportation Committee voted to give House Bill H3276 — the Hands‑Free and Distracted Driving Act — a favorable report as amended after hearing testimony about federal funding consequences, enforcement language and DMV implementation challenges.

The bill would prohibit holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle and make reading, composing or transmitting text a violation. David Owens, staff to the committee, summarized the measure: "Bill H3276 prohibits the use of a mobile electronic device while operating a vehicle, provides exceptions as it establishes the offense of distracted driving and sets penalties." Owens also noted the bill's changes from prior years, including a new definition of "mobile electronic device," a one‑year delayed effective date and a provision that limits law enforcement stops for the…