'It's about time'; Hands-free driving bill advances in the Senate
Hands-free driving legislation is one step closer to becoming law after nearly every member of the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the bill Tuesday afternoon.
would prohibit the use of cellphones while driving, unless it is hands-free, or voice activated. It would also increase the penalties for violation of the law from $45 to $100.
In its full committee hearing Tuesday, Sen. Tony Bisignano, D-Des Moines, was the only member to vote no on the bill. vlog reached out to Bisignano to ask why, but he was unavailable for an interview.
Sen. Mark Lofgren, R-Muscatine, said he's happy the bill is progressing. He said he's been working on hands-free legislation since 2018. Lofgren said he's confident this is the year the bill will become law, thanks to support from Gov. Kim Reynolds.
"I know she's supported it for a long time, but at least I think this is a little bit more forceful, and I think that's going to be helpful, too," Lofgren said.
Because of the change in fees, the bill now has to pass through the Senate Ways and Means Committee before it can go on the Senate floor for a vote.
Supporters of the bill sat in the committee hearing Tuesday, including Judi Collora. Collora's daughter was killed by a distracted driver in 2023.
"She would want us to be here and be trying to get this law passed so other people don't have to die," she said. "No one should have to die because someone chooses to text."
The House Transportation Committee will consider its version of the bill on Wednesday.
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