Arkansas House Report: The week of cell phone bills

Editor’s note: Rep. Leslee Milam-Post, D-Ozark, provided the following commentary on the previous week of the 88th Arkansas General Assembly.

The House approved a measure that would ban the use of a hand-held cell phone in a school zone during school hours.

The bill would make the violation a secondary offense, so drivers could only be cited if they were first pulled over for a primary offense, like speeding, not wearing a seat belt or having a tail-light out.

The Senate passed a similar measure that would extend the ban on hand-held cell phone to include highway work zones, as well. The House bill now heads to the Senate, and the Senate measure is before the House Committee on Public Transportation.

I serve on this committee. We have had some very interesting discussion regarding the practicality, enforcement, and safety of these potential laws. Some questioned if the bill effecting school zones would be a hardship for parents parked in long lines waiting to pick up their children. It is possible moms and dads making calls while parked in line that aren’t buckled-up, could technically be fined for both offenses if this bill passes the Senate and is signed into law. I anticipate similar type discussions regarding highway work zones.

In other cell phone business, the full House also passed HB1062, which would allow the state to charge cell phone users up to a three-cent fee to support a fund that provides hearing-impaired Arkansans with equipment to help them communicate using a cell phone.

Do you ever find yourself saying, “What did we do before cell phones?”  Deaf people still do. They can not communicate with emergency assistance, visit with loved ones or call for directions while traveling via a cell phone. This bill will provide TDD service and equipment that is available for landlines. The fee is already being charged for landlines, but not for cell phones. The bill has been sent to the Senate. If you agree with me that this is a good bill for Arkansas call our Senators!

Remember, you can now watch most committees and House proceedings via live stream at the Arkansas House website.

I have received the best ideas for legislation and had great input on proposed legislation from constituents. I can be reached on my cell phone at (479) 518-0331 or via email at [email protected]