May 19, 2017      5:06 PM

Updated: Texas Senate votes 23 to 8 to finally pass texting while driving ban

In a session where pre-emption has taken center stage, this, too, belongs to the state under this bill

Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, passed a statewide texting-while-driving ban through the Senate this afternoon, batting away a controversial amendment to keep the bill on track with the wishes of long-time House author Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland.

Zaffirini moved some votes before she got her substitute for House Bill 62 to the floor, accepting language from Sen. Don Huffines’ bills, while rejecting an amendment offered by Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, intended to clarify mutual conditions necessary for a ticket.

Language was added, at Huffines’ behest to pre-empt all local ordinances and to exempt GPS navigation devices, a move Zaffirini acknowledged secured Huffines’ vote. Music apps also were exempted, at the request of Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills.

Copyright May 19, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved