Back to Wyoming

SF0020 • 2010

Text-based communications prohibited while driving.

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; prohibiting the use of electronic wireless communication devices for sending text or electronic mail messages while operating a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing definitions; providing penalties; and providing for an effective date.

Technology
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Senator Esquibel, Floyd
Last action
2010-03-10
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2010

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0020H2001

2nd reading • SHEPPERSON

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by SHEPPERSON

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020H3001

3rd reading • QUARBERG

Withdrawn

Plain English: Withdrawn 3rd reading by QUARBERG

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020HW001

Committee of the Whole • COHEE

Adopted, Corrected

Plain English: Adopted, Corrected Committee of the Whole by COHEE

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020HS001

Standing Committee • H08

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted Standing Committee by H08

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020S2001

2nd reading • PERKINS

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by PERKINS

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020S2002

2nd reading • MEIER

Withdrawn

Plain English: Withdrawn 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020S2003

2nd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020S2004

2nd reading • MEIER

Failed

Plain English: Failed 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.
SF0020S2005

2nd reading • MEIER

Adopted

Plain English: Adopted 2nd reading by MEIER

  • This amendment summary is using official source text because generated interpretation was skipped for this run.
  • The official amendment text was available, but an easy plain-English summary could not be produced automatically during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2010-03-10 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number - 105

  2. 2010-03-10 Governor

    Governor Signed SEA0045

  3. 2010-03-05 House

    H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0045

  4. 2010-03-04 Senate

    S President Signed SEA No. 0045

  5. 2010-03-04 LSO

    Assigned Number SEA0045

  6. 2010-03-04 Senate

    S Did Concur

  7. 2010-03-04 Senate

    S Received for Concurrence

  8. 2010-03-03 House

    H Reconsidered Passed 3rd Reading

  9. 2010-03-03 House

    H Reconsidered

  10. 2010-03-03 House

    H Passed 3rd Reading

  11. 2010-03-02 House

    H Passed 2nd Reading

  12. 2010-03-02 House

    Amendment Failed

  13. 2010-03-01 House

    H Passed CoW

  14. 2010-03-01 House

    Amendment Adopted

  15. 2010-03-01 House

    H Amendments Adopted

  16. 2010-03-01 House

    Amendment Adopted

  17. 2010-02-24 House

    H Placed on General File

  18. 2010-02-24 House

    H08 Recommended Amend and Do Pass

  19. 2010-02-17 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H08

  20. 2010-02-16 House

    H Received for Introduction

  21. 2010-02-15 Senate

    S Passed 3rd Reading

  22. 2010-02-12 Senate

    S Passed 2nd Reading

  23. 2010-02-12 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  24. 2010-02-12 Senate

    Amendment Failed

  25. 2010-02-12 Senate

    S Amendments Adopted

  26. 2010-02-12 Senate

    Amendment Adopted

  27. 2010-02-11 Senate

    S Laid Back Pursuant to SR 10-4(a)

  28. 2010-02-11 Senate

    Amendment Failed

  29. 2010-02-10 Senate

    S Passed CoW

  30. 2010-02-09 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  31. 2010-02-09 Senate

    S08 Recommended Do Pass

  32. 2010-02-08 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S08

  33. 2010-02-08 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  34. 2010-01-05 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill No.: <billno> Drafter: <drafterinit>

Bill No.:
SF0020
Drafter:

JDA

LSO No.:
10LSO-0102
Effective Date:

7/1/2010

Enrolled Act No.:
SEA0045

Chapter No.:

Prime Sponsor:
Senator
Esquibel, F.

Catch Title:
Text-based communications prohibited while
driving.

Subject:
Motor vehicles
handheld electronic wireless communication devices.

Summary/Major Elements:

Prohibits the use of a handheld electronic wireless communication device to
send or read a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle on a
public street or highway.

Provides exceptions to the prohibition for vehicles that are lawfully
parked, for contacting emergency response vehicles and for a person operating
an emergency response vehicle in the performance of his official duties.

Provides that entering a number or word to make or receive a telephone call
or using hands free technology is not a violation of the prohibition.

Provides that a violation of the section is punishable by a fine not to
exceed seventy-five dollars.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
WORKING DRAFT

ORIGINAL SENATE

FILE

NO.
0020

ENROLLED ACT NO. 45, SENATE

SIXTIETH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING
2010 BUDGET SESSION

AN ACT relating to
motor vehicles; prohibiting the use of
handheld
electronic wireless communication devices for sending text or electronic mail messages while operating a motor vehicle; providing exceptions; providing definitions; providing penalties;
and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Wyoming
:

Section 1
.

W.S. 31
‑
5
‑
237 is created to read:

31
‑
5
‑
237.

Use of
handheld
electronic wireless communication devices for electronic messaging prohibited; exceptions; penalties.

(a)

No person shall operate a motor vehicle
on a public street or highway
while using
a
handheld
electronic wireless communication device to write, send or read a text-based communication. This section shall not apply to a person who is using
a handheld
electronic wireless communication device:

(i)

While the vehicle is lawfully parked;

(ii)

To contact
an emergency response vehicle;

(iii)

To write, read, select or enter a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call
; or

(iv)

When using voice operated or hands free technology.

(b)

This section shall not apply to a person operating an emergency response vehicle while making communications necessary to the performance of his official duties as an emergency responder.

(c)

Any person who operates a motor vehicle in violation of this section
is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seventy-five dollars ($75.00)
.

(d)

As used in this section:

(i)

"Electronic wireless communication device" means a mobile communication device that uses short-wave analog or digital radio transmissions
or satellite transmissions
between the device and a transmitter to permit wireless telephone communications to and from the user of the device within a specified area;

(ii)

"Emergency response vehicle" means any ambulance, fire department, law enforcement or civil defense vehicle or other vehicle used primarily for emergency purposes;

(iii)

"Voice operated or hands free technology" means technology that allows a user to write, send or read a text based communication without the use of either hand except to activ
at
e, deactivate or initiate a feature or function;

(i
v
)

"Write, send or read a text-based communication" means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message or electronic mail.

Section 2.

This act is effective July 1, 2010.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1