California

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9/17/07-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill making it illegal for teens under 18 to use any type of cell phone, pager, text messaging device or laptop while at the wheel. It takes effect July 1, 2008.
The new law, previously SB33, makes violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines. It exempts emergency phone calls.

9/5/07-The Senate voted 23-14 to concur on amendments to a bill that would make it illegal for teens under 18 to use any type of cell phone, pager, text messaging device or laptop while at the wheel.
Assembly lawmakers previously approved the bill on a 62-5 vote clearing the way for it to move to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

8/28/07-The Assembly voted 62-5 to approve a bill that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to use any type of cell phone, pager or text messaging device.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
The bill now heads back to the Senate for final approval before moving to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

7/11/07-The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to use any type of cell phone, pager or text messaging device.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
The bill now heads to the Assembly floor for further consideration. If the bill wins approval there, it would head back to the Senate for approval of changes before it could move to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

6/14/07-The Assembly Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to use any type of cell phone, pager or text messaging device.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The Senate previously approved it.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

6/5/07-A bill in the Assembly Transportation Committee would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to use any type of cell phone, send text messages or work on laptops. The Senate already approved it.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
Emergency phone calls would be exempted.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

5/11/07-The Senate voted 21-15 to approve a bill that would make it illegal for drivers under 18 to use any type of cell phone, send text messages or work on laptops. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
The bill has been forwarded to the House for further consideration. For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/24/07-The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee voted 8-2 to approve a bill that would make it illegal for drivers with instruction permits, student or provisional licenses to use any type of cell phone, send text messages or work on laptops. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate floor for further consideration. For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/20/07-The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that would make it illegal for drivers with instruction permits, student or provisional licenses to use any type of cell phone, send text messages or work on laptops. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate floor for further consideration. For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/6/07-The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee voted 8-2 to approve a bill that would make it illegal for drivers with instruction permits, student or provisional licenses to use any type of cell phone, send text messages or work on laptops. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Appropriations Committee. For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

1/26/07-A bill in the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee would make it illegal for drivers with instruction permits, student or provisional licenses to use any cell phone - even "hands-free" devices - while behind the wheel. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
Sponsored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

12/28/06-Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, has introduced a bill that would make it illegal for drivers with instruction permits, student or provisional licenses to use any cell phone - even "hands-free" devices - while behind the wheel. It would exempt emergency phone calls.
SB33 would make violation of the restriction a secondary offense - meaning a person would have to be pulled over for another violation before they could be ticketed for talking on the phone. Violators would face $20 fines. Repeat offenders would face $50 fines.
The bill is awaiting assignment to a committee. For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.