EHB 1214 -
By Committee on Transportation
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/13/2007
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 46.61 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person
operating a moving motor vehicle who, by means of an electronic
wireless communications device, other than a voice-activated global
positioning or navigation system that is permanently affixed to the
vehicle, sends, reads, or writes a text message, is guilty of a traffic
infraction.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not apply to a person
operating:
(a) An authorized emergency vehicle; or
(b) A moving motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless
communications device to:
(i) Report illegal activity;
(ii) Summon medical or other emergency help;
(iii) Prevent injury to a person or property; or
(iv) Relay information between a transit or for-hire operator and
that operator's dispatcher, in which the device is permanently affixed
to the vehicle.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 This act takes effect January 1, 2008."
EHB 1214 -
By Committee on Transportation
ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/13/2007
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "messages;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 46.61 RCW; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date."
EFFECT: Clarifies that the reading and writing proscribed by the bill is with respect to text messages and the use of electronic devices, and not, for example, maps. Excludes voice-activated global positioning or navigation systems from the types of electronic wireless devices covered in the bill. Eliminates an exemption for hand-held radio operators. Exempts the relay of information between transit or taxicab (for-hire) operators and their dispatchers using a device that is permanently affixed to the vehicle from the text messaging prohibition in the bill.