House debates tightened distracted-driving ban; bill fails on final passage
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Summary
Representatives debated HB 10-10 amendments to tighten what drivers may do with mobile electronic devices, including narrowing an exception that allowed entering contact names or numbers; sponsor said the measure "saves lives." The House rejected the bill on final passage (ayes 21, nays 46, excused 3).
Representative Shorma, sponsor of HB 10-10, urged colleagues to approve amendments that would tighten the state's prohibition on use of mobile electronic devices while driving, remove an "entering data" exception and restrict functions allowed while driving for safety. Shorma said law-enforcement officers have found the prior exception made enforcement difficult and argued the changes will reduce crashes. "This bill saves lives," he said on the floor.
Opponents questioned whether the law would criminalize ordinary phone use, whether existing statutes already addressed texting and driving, and whether agricultural operators should be exempt. Representative May asked if the conduct was already illegal; Shorma replied the bill removes the "entering a person's name or cell phone number" carve-out that has hampered citations. Representative Sharada said farmers need latitude for calls while traveling long gravel roads. Representative Jordan said the behavior in question is already illegal and opposed criminalizing holding a phone to the ear.
After floor debate and questions, the House voted down final passage of HB 10-10 (ayes 21, nays 46, excused 3). The transcript records sponsors and opponents outlining enforcement, public-education and exemption concerns but contains no floor amendment that changed the bill's core enforcement mechanism before the vote.
