H 3355 Session 123 (2019-2020) H 3355 General Bill, By Taylor, Allison, Elliott, Tallon, Cogswell, McCravy, V.S.Moss, Young, McGinnis, Stringer, Felder, Calhoon, Hardee, Govan, Hixon, W.Newton, Chellis, Toole, Funderburk, Blackwell, Lucas, Hewitt, Forrest, Oremus, Wooten, Huggins and Ridgeway A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR DUI-E LAW", TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-3890, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL USE OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS, REVISE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE A WIRELESS DEVICE, TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRIVING WHILE USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, TO MAKE TECHNICAL REVISIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT AT CERTAIN POINTS ALONG THE STATE'S INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL NOTIFY MOTORISTS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
Indicates New Matter COMMITTEE REPORT February 12, 2019 H. 3355 Introduced by Reps. Taylor, Allison, Elliott, Tallon, Cogswell, McCravy, V.S. Moss, Young, McGinnis, Stringer, Felder, Calhoon, Hardee, Govan, Hixon, W. Newton and Chellis S. Printed 2/12/19--H. [SEC 2/13/19 10:17 AM] Read the first time January 8, 2019.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3355) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, so as to enact the "Driving Under the Influence of an Electronic Device or DUI-E Law", etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:
Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking Section 56-5-3890
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(1) stop a person for a violation of this section except when the officer has probable cause that a violation has occurred (2) seize, search, view, or require the forfeiture of a wireless electronic communication device because of a violation of this section; (3) search or request to search a motor vehicle, driver, or passenger in a motor vehicle, solely because of a violation of this section; or (4) make a custodial arrest for a violation of this section, except upon a warrant issued for failure to appear in court when summoned or for failure to pay an imposed fine.
(I) Nothing in this section must be read to supersede a federal law prohibiting the use of wireless communication devices by operators of commercial motor vehicles. / Amend the bill further by striking SECTIONS 3, 4, and 5 and inserting: / SECTION 3. At every interstate highway ingress into the State, the South Carolina Department of Transportation shall erect a visible notification sign advising motorists entering the State of the existence of this act. SECTION 4. A law enforcement officer shall issue only warning tickets for a 'Driving While Using an Electronic Device' violation during the first sixty days after the effective date of this act. SECTION 5. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws. SECTION 6. This act takes effect ninety days after approval by the Governor. / Renumber sections to conform. Amend title to conform. MERITA A. ALLISON for Committee.
Explanation of Fiscal Impact Amended by House Education and Public Works on January 31, 2019 State Expenditure This amended bill creates the "Driving Under the Influence of an Electronic Device or DUI-E Law." The bill revises the circumstances when it is unlawful to use a wireless device and revises definitions related to the unlawful use of a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle. Definitions for both a stand-alone electronic device and utility services have been added, and the previous definition for a wireless electronic communication device has been changed to a wireless telecommunications device. The definition for a wireless telecommunication device, which has been expanded to include other types of electronic devices, now excludes certain types of radios, emergency communication devices, prescribed medical devices, and vehicular security, navigation, and remote diagnostic systems. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to physically hold, compose text-based communication, or watch video footage on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. The bill also prohibits a commercial vehicle operator from using more than a single button on a wireless telecommunications device to initiate or terminate a voice communication and from reaching for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device in a manner such that he would no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a safety belt. A vehicle operator may use a wireless telecommunications device or a stand-alone electronic device when he is using an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on the wrist to conduct voice-based communication; making a voice-based communication that is automatically converted by the device to be sent as a message in written form; watching data related to the navigation of the vehicle; stopped on the side of the road or lawfully parked; reporting information related to an accident or hazard or is otherwise summoning emergency assistance; or is using equipment or services installed or provided by the vehicle's original manufacturer, provided the device is not hand-held. Other persons exempt from these provisions are those who are employed and are on duty as emergency responders, utility services providers, or digital system dispatchers. The bill also creates the non-criminal offense of driving while using an electronic device, which carries a penalty of no more than $200 dollars, an amount which may not be suspended. The fine is capped at $200 for any one incident of one or more violations of the bill's provisions. The DOT is responsible for erecting signs along South Carolina interstates to inform motorists of the existence of the act. Judicial Department. This bill would amend Section 56-5-3890, "Driving Under the Influence of an Electronic Device" (DUI-E) by redefining and replacing the term hands-free device with stand-alone device; redefining the term wireless communication device; and adding a definition of utility services. The bill would expand the prohibited uses of wireless communication devices, including a ban on physically holding one while driving; add a section related solely to commercial vehicle drivers; and more fully describe the exceptions to the prohibited uses. Further, it increases the circumstances under which an officer can stop a vehicle for a suspected violation. As magistrate and municipal courts will be responsible for hearing these cases, the bill will have no expenditure impact on the general fund for the Judicial Department. The civil fines imposed by this proposed legislation would be handled in magistrate and municipal courts. In FY 2017-18, there were 2,025 civil fine cases filed under the current version of Section 56-5-3890 in magistrate and municipal courts. However, as this legislation alters the circumstances under which a driver can be stopped, there is no data available upon which to estimate the number of hearings or trials that may be initiated as a result of this legislation. Commission on Prosecution Coordination. The bill alters the circumstances under which a driver may be stopped for violations related to the unlawful use of a wireless communication device while driving. Although the number of tickets that may be written for the revised offense is unknown, the agency expects to absorb any additional costs within current resources. Commission on Indigent Defense. The commission reports that should the bill have an expenditure impact on the General Fund, it will absorb any additional costs within current resources. Department of Public Safety. The agency currently is mandated to maintain statistical information regarding any citation distributed. The department anticipates minimal additional expenditures to the general fund, which can be absorbed within existing appropriations. Department of Transportation. The department indicates there are eight points where interstates cross state lines. The cost for each sign, including installation, is $330. Therefore, this bill will increase other funds expenses of the department by $2,640 in FY 2019-20. Local Expenditure This bill amends existing provisions related to a person's operation of a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device. The civil fines imposed by this proposed legislation would be handled in magistrate and municipal courts. In FY 2017-18, there were 2,025 civil fine cases filed under the current version of Section 56-5-3890 in magistrate and municipal courts. There will be no local expenditure impact of this bill on magistrate and municipal courts as RFA estimates there will be no increase to court dockets. Local Revenue The bill may result in the generation of additional revenue due to the increase in fines for violations related to unlawful use of a wireless communication device while driving. Revenue from the citations is received by the county in which the offenses occur. Magistrate and municipal courts will be responsible for hearing these cases. However, the revenue impact to local government is undetermined because the bill creates a new offense and there is no data available to determine the number of violations. Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, SO AS TO ENACT THE "DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE OR DUI-E LAW", TO AMEND SECTION 56-5-3890, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL USE OF A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE, SO AS TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS, REVISE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN IT IS UNLAWFUL TO USE A WIRELESS DEVICE, TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF DRIVING WHILE USING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE, TO MAKE TECHNICAL REVISIONS, AND TO PROVIDE THAT AT CERTAIN POINTS ALONG THE STATE'S INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL NOTIFY MOTORISTS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: SECTION 1. This act may be referred to and cited as the "Driving Under the Influence of an Electronic Device or DUI-E Law". SECTION 2. Section 56-5-3890 of the 1976 Code is amended to read: "Section 56-5-3890. (A) For purposes of this section:
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(B) (1) Physically hold a: (a) wireless telecommunications device, provided that this exclusion shall not prohibit the use of an earpiece, headphone device, or device worn on a wrist to conduct a voice-based communication; or (b) stand-alone electronic device; (2) write, send, or read any text-based communication, including, but not limited to, a text message, instant message, e-mail, or Internet data on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device. However, this prohibition shall not apply to a voice-based communication which is automatically converted by the device to be sent as a message in a written form; (3) watch a video or movie on a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device other than watching data related to the navigation of the vehicle. (C) While operating a commercial motor vehicle on any highway of this State, a person shall not: (1) use more than a single button on a wireless telecommunications device to initiate or terminate a voice communication; or (2) reach for a wireless telecommunications device or stand-alone electronic device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be: (a) in a seated driving position; or (b) properly restrained by a safety belt.
(D) This section does not apply to
(1) stopped on the side of a road or lawfully parked
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(a) included in the offender's motor vehicle records maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles or in the criminal records maintained by SLED; or (b) reported to the offender's motor vehicle insurer.
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SECTION 3. At every interstate highway ingress into the State, the South Carolina Department of Transportation shall erect a visible notification sign advising motorists entering the State of the existence of this act. SECTION 4. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws. SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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