HB 2439 was heard on Tuesday in House Transportation Committee. KDOT worked with a large coalition to draft the bill and testified in support during the hearing. There were no opponents to the legislation.
The bill will prohibit the reading, writing, or sending of text messages and emails. Voice activated technology, built-in vehicle systems like OnStar, and navigation systems are exempted.
Several questions were raised by committee members about the enforceability of any texting ban. Law enforcement conferees testified that enforcing this would be similar to looking for ‘clues’ for other prohibited acts like carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Law enforcement would be trained to look for the ‘clues’ to enforce the law, although the Highway Patrol did agree that it would be somewhat difficult to enforce.
This issue was very popular with the press yesterday. The following articles reported on the hearing:
House panel hears from backers of texting ban BY JEANNINE KORANDA, Wichita Eagle
Texting bill heard By Barbara Hollingsworth , Topeka Capital Journal