Report on Texting Ban Receives House Approval

Tuesday afternoon the House voted to adopt the conference committee’s report on HF2456. The report combines the two previously adopted texting-ban bills from the House and the Senate. Approved by a vote of 66-33, the report will now be sent over to the Senate for a vote. Passage in the Senate will mean passage of the overall bill.

The report provides that graduated drivers license holders are prohibited from using any electronic communication device or electronic entertainment device while driving – unless the device is permanently installed in the vehicle. No drivers in Iowa will be able to write, send, or read a text message while driving. This does not prohibit adult drivers from using their phones’ mapping or GPS features while driving.

In other Statehouse news, the infamous Standings Bill was dropped last night – the catch-all bill that signals the near end of session. Most people are still predicting session will end by this weekend even though Obama’s visit to Iowa City Thursday may draw a few loyal supporters away from Des Moines for the day.