Bill Text: MS HB389 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Texting and social networking; prohibit while driving.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2015-03-13 - Approved by Governor [HB389 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2015-HB389-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Transportation
By: Representative Denny
House Bill 389
AN ACT TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY WHILE USING A HAND-HELD WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS A CIVIL VIOLATION WITH A CIVIL PENALTY; TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT OFFENSES RELATING TO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING FROM STATE ASSESSMENT; TO REPEAL SECTION 63-1-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROHIBITS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this subsection, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Hand-held mobile telephone" means a mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device with which a user engages in a call or writes, sends or reads a text message using at least one hand. The term "hand-held mobile telephone" shall not include a voice-operated or hands-free device;
(b) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle driven or drawn by mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public highways;
(c) "Social networking site" means any web-based service that allows individuals to construct a profile within a founded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and communicate with other users of the site; (d) "Text message" includes a text-based message, instant message, electronic message, and email, but shall not include an emergency, traffic or weather alert or a message related to the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle;
(e) "Voice operated or hands-free device" means a device that allows the user to write, send, or read a text message without the use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function; and
(f) "Writing," "sending" and "reading," with respect to a text message, mean the manual entry, sending, or retrieval of a text message, respectively, to communicate with any person or device.
(2) An operator of a moving motor vehicle is prohibited from writing, sending, or reading a text message and from accessing, reading or posting to a social networking site using a hand-held mobile telephone while driving said motor vehicle.
(3) A violation of this section is a civil violation, and upon being found in violation, is punishable by a civil penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for violations committed until July 1, 2016, and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for violations committed from and after July 1, 2016. The state assessments under Section 99-19-73 shall not be imposed and collected for a violation under this section.
(4) The Department of Public Safety shall keep and maintain records of citations issued under this statute, including the age and race of the vehicle operator, whether there was an additional traffic violation by the vehicle operator, and whether there was a crash or any damage to a vehicle or passenger at the time of the citation.
SECTION 2. Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
99-19-73. (1) Traffic
violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties
imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state
assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty
for any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses
relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.) * * *, offenses relating to vehicular
parking or registration and offenses relating to texting and using social
media while driving (Section 1 of this act):
FUND AMOUNT
State Court Education Fund.............................. $ .85
State Prosecutor Education Fund......................... 1.25
Vulnerable Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund................ 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund.................... .30
Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. 5.12
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.................. 5.00
Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund
(for all moving violations)........................ 5.45
Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... 20.00
Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund............ 1.00
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Death Benefits Trust Fund.......................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Disability Benefits Trust Fund..................... .15
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
of providing additional compensation for
district attorneys and their legal assistants...... 10.00
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.................. 10.00
Drug Court Fund, through June 30, 2015.................. 10.53
Drug Court Fund, from and after July 1, 2015............ 10.00
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................ 2.89
Indigent Appeals Fund................................... 2.29
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund.................... 2.33
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund....................... .49
Public Defenders Education Fund......................... 1.00
Domestic Violence Training Fund......................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit..................... 2.50
Children's Justice Center Fund.......................... 2.21
DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund............... .88
Children's Advocacy Centers Fund........................ 1.91
Judicial System Operation Fund,
through June 30, 2015.............................. 1.35
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT through June 30, 2015............ $ 90.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT
from and after July 1, 2015........................ $ 88.62
(2) Implied Consent Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.):
FUND AMOUNT
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 10.00
State Court Education Fund.............................. 1.50
State Prosecutor Education Fund......................... 2.00
Vulnerable Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund.................... .50
Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund................. 22.00
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.................. 11.00
Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund............... 45.00
Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund....... 5.00
Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund...................... 10.00
Mississippi Crime Laboratory
Implied Consent Law Fund........................... 25.00
Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund.................. 25.00
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................ 2.89
Indigent Appeals Fund................................... 2.29
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund.................... 2.33
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund....................... .49
State General Fund...................................... 35.00
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Death Benefits Trust Fund.......................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Disability Benefits Trust Fund..................... 1.00
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
of providing additional compensation for
district attorneys and their legal assistants...... 10.00
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.................. 10.00
Drug Court Fund......................................... 10.00
Statewide Victims' Information and
Notification System Fund........................... 6.00
Public Defenders Education Fund......................... 1.00
Domestic Violence Training Fund......................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit..................... 2.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $243.50
(3) Game and Fish Law violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this state:
FUND AMOUNT
State Court Education Fund.............................. $ 1.50
State Prosecutor Education Fund......................... 2.00
Vulnerable Persons Training,
Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund........... 1.50
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.................. 5.00
Hunter Education and Training Program Fund.............. 5.00
State General Fund...................................... 30.00
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Death Benefits Trust Fund.......................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Disability Benefits Trust Fund..................... 1.00
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
of providing additional compensation for district
attorneys and their legal assistants............... 0.00
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.................. 10.00
Drug Court Fund......................................... 10.00
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................ 2.89
Indigent Appeals Fund................................... 2.29
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund.................... 2.33
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund....................... .49
Public Defenders Education Fund......................... 1.00
Domestic Violence Training Fund......................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit..................... 2.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $ 89.00
(4) [Deleted]
(5) Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations. In addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway:
(a) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by
at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) miles per hour.................................................... $ 10.00
(b) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) miles per hour $ 20.00
(c) At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more............................. $ 30.00
(d) In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the offense of reckless driving........................................ $ 10.00
(e) In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the offense of careless driving........................................ $ 10.00
All assessments collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund established under Section 41-59-75.
(6) Other misdemeanors. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:
FUND AMOUNT
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 6.92
State Court Education Fund.............................. 1.50
State Prosecutor Education Fund......................... 2.00
Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation
and Prosecution Trust Fund......................... 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund.................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.................. 5.00
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................ 2.89
Indigent Appeals Fund................................... 2.29
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund.................... 2.33
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund....................... .49
State General Fund...................................... 30.00
State Crime Stoppers Fund............................... 1.50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Death Benefits Trust Fund.......................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Disability Benefits Trust Fund..................... 1.00
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
of providing additional compensation for
district attorneys and their legal assistants...... 10.00
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.................. 10.00
Drug Court Fund......................................... 8.00
Judicial Performance Fund............................... 2.00
Statewide Victims' Information and
Notification System Fund........................... 6.00
Public Defenders Education Fund......................... 1.00
Domestic Violence Training Fund......................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit..................... 2.50
Information Exchange Network Fund....................... 4.00
Motorcycle Officer Training Fund........................ 1.06
Civil Legal Assistance Fund............................. 2.77
Justice Court Collections Fund.......................... 7.50
Municipal Court Collections Fund........................ 7.50
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $121.75
(7) Other felonies. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section:
FUND AMOUNT
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 10.00
State Court Education Fund.............................. 1.50
State Prosecutor Education Fund......................... 2.00
Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation
and Prosecution Trust Fund......................... 1.50
Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund.................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund.................. 5.00
Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................ 2.89
Indigent Appeals Fund................................... 2.29
Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund.................... 2.33
Victims of Domestic Violence Fund....................... .49
State General Fund...................................... 60.00
Criminal Justice Fund................................... 50.00
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Death Benefits Trust Fund.......................... .50
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters
Disability Benefits Trust Fund..................... 1.00
State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose
of providing additional compensation for
district attorneys and their legal assistants...... 10.00
Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund.................. 10.00
Drug Court Fund......................................... 10.00
Statewide Victims' Information and
Notification System Fund........................... 6.00
Public Defenders Education Fund......................... 1.00
Domestic Violence Training Fund......................... 1.00
Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit..................... 2.50
Crime Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund......... 100.00
TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $280.50
(8) Additional assessments on certain violations:
(a) Railroad crossing violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249:
Operation Lifesaver Fund............................ $25.00
(b) Drug violations. In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 41-29-139:
Drug Evidence Disposition Fund...................... $25.00
(9) If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state assessment under this section. No state assessment imposed under the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the court.
(10) After a determination by the court of the amount due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section. The state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section may not be paid by personal check. It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each county to deposit all such state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The chancery clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county during such month. It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each municipality to deposit all such state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor. The municipal clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the municipal court in such municipality during such month.
(11) It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all such state assessments into the proper special fund in the State Treasury. The monthly deposit shall be based upon the number of violations reported under each subsection and the pro rata amount of such assessment due to the appropriate special fund. The Department of Finance and Administration shall issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these special funds.
(12) The State Auditor shall establish by regulation procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is reversed. The Auditor shall provide in such regulations for certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court order or abstract by which such defendant is entitled to a refund. All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Auditor.
SECTION 3. Section 63-1-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, which prohibits texting while driving under certain licenses, is repealed.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.
