AUSTIN (March 10, 2009)—A bill that Texas House members are considering would ban talking or texting on a cell phone while driving.

The House Transportation Committee heard Tuesday from supporters of several bills that would impose stiffer penalties for accidents that occur while a driver is using a cell phone, with
some exceptions for hands-free devices.

Some of the bills would ban cell phone usage in school zones.

One proposal by Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. would ban anyone under 18 from using a wireless communications device while driving, unless it's a hands-free phone or it's an emergency.

Ortiz says he's particularly taking aim at texting while driving, something he says many teenagers do.

State Capitol Links

Texas House of Representatives Web Site

Texas Senate Web Site

Information About Specific Bills

Texas House Speaker’s Web Site

Texas Lt. Governor’s Web Site

Texas Governor’s Web Site

Legislative Budget Board Web Site

Central Texas State Senators

Sen. Kip Averitt, R-McGregor
(State Sen. District 22 includes: Bosque*, Coryell*, Ellis, Falls*, Hill*, Hood, Johnson, McLennan*, Navarro, Somervell Counties)
Averitt Senate Web Site

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay
(State Sen. District 24 includes: Bell*, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Gillespie, Hamilton*, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas*, Llano, McCulloch*, Mason, Menard, Mills*, San Saba*, Taylor Counties)
Fraser Senate Web Site

Sen. Steve Odgen, R-Bryan
(State Sen. District 5 includes: Brazos, Burleson, Freestone*, Grimes, Houston, Lee, Leon*, Limestone*, Madison, Milam*, Robertson, Trinity, Walker, Williamson Counties)
Ogden Senate Web Site

Central Texas State Representatives

Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana
(State Rep. District 8 includes: Anderson, Freestone*, Limestone*, Navarro Counties)
Cook House Web Site

State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie
(State Rep. District 10 includes: Hill*, Ellis Counties)
Pitts House Web Site

State Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown
(State Rep. District 20 includes: Milam*, Williamson-part, Counties)
Gattis House Web Site

State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville
(State Rep. District 53 includes: Callahan, Coleman, Concho, Crockett, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, McCulloch*, Mason, Menard, Real, Runnels, San Saba*, Schleicher, Sutton Counties)
Hilderbran House Web Site

Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen
(State Rep. District 54 includes: Bell-part*, Burnet, Lampasas* Counties)
Aycock House Web Site

Rep. Ralph Sheffield, R-Temple
(State Rep. District 55 includes: Bell-part County)
Sheffield House Web Site

Rep. Charles Anderson, R-Waco
(State Rep. District 56 includes: McLennan-part County)
Anderson House Web Site

Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco
(State Rep. District 57 includes: Falls*, Leon*, McLennan-part*, Madison, Robertson Counties)
Dunnam House Web Site

Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson
(State Rep. District 58 includes: Bosque*, Johnson Counties)
Orr House Web Site

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville
(State Rep. District 59 includes: Comanche, Coryell*, Erath, Hamilton*, Mills*, Somervell Counties)
Miller House Web Site

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Latest Comments

Posted by: april Location: belton on Mar 12, 2009 at 04:20 PM

I am tired of watching drivers using their cell phones because they are not paying attention to anything or anyone, they are very dangerous. It would make me happy to see them fined for doing this.

Posted by: MARY Location: DA MUDD-BELLMEAD on Mar 12, 2009 at 01:46 PM

they need to be tickted when using while driving..some dont pay attention to nothing,except cell phones..what about the kidd while she was texting... give them an inch,..they want the whole dang globe...

Posted by: Someone Location: Near-Here on Mar 12, 2009 at 12:35 PM

To Mark;Temple, It means that a lot less people would get killed or have accidents if they can not use cell-phones while driving!!! JUST PASS A LAW AGAINST DRIVING WHILE USING A CELL-PHONE!! PERIOD!!

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