Committee approves bill to make handheld phone use in active school zones a primary offense

Sponsor testimony described House Bill 1182 as a clarification to existing distracted-driving law that would make handheld-device use in moving vehicles between school-zone signs — when children are present — a primary offense. The sponsor said the bill focuses on the 300-foot zone around schools on public thoroughfares and is not intended to govern activity on school property.

The sponsor said the change is meant to match common public expectation that drivers should not use hand-held devices while driving through a school zone and that 21 other states already treat similar conduct as a primary offense. Committee members asked whether the rule applies to hands-free devices and school resource officers; the sponsor replied the bill applies to any handheld device and does not cover school resource officers, who are not trained for this enforcement role.

Committee discussion addressed the bill's scope (moving vehicles within the signed school-zone area during designated school hours when children are present) and the distinction between primary and secondary enforcement. Sponsor said the measure is supported by law-enforcement groups and safety organizations and framed it as restoring a level of protection where children are most exposed.

Senator Hill moved to pass HB 1182 and Senator Eads seconded; the committee voted by voice and the chair announced the bill passed out of committee.

The committee indicated no registered opposition speakers for this bill at the hearing. The bill will proceed from committee for further consideration in the legislative process.