HOUSE BILL NO. 4199

February 14, 2019, Introduced by Reps. Sheppard and Cole and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending sections 602b and 907 (MCL 257.602b and 257.907), section 602b as amended by 2016 PA 332 and section 907 as amended by 2015 PA 126.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 602b. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or in the person's lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a motor vehicle that is moving on a highway or street in this state. As used in this subsection, a wireless 2-way communication device does not include a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the motor vehicle. This subsection does not apply to a person operating a commercial vehicle.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not read, manually type, or send a text message on a wireless 2-way communication device that is located in the person's hand or in the person's lap, including a wireless telephone used in cellular telephone service or personal communication service, while operating a commercial motor vehicle or a school bus on a highway or street in this state. As used in this subsection, a wireless 2-way communication device does not include a global positioning or navigation system that is affixed to the commercial motor vehicle or school bus.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not use a hand-held mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication while operating a commercial motor vehicle or a school bus on a highway, including while temporarily stationary due to traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. This subsection does not apply if the operator of the commercial vehicle or school bus has moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway and has stopped in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. As used in this subsection, "mobile telephone" does not include a 2-way radio service or citizens band radio service. As used in this subsection, "use a hand-held mobile telephone" means 1 or more of the following:

(a) Using at least 1 hand to hold a mobile telephone to conduct a voice communication.

(b) Dialing or answering a mobile telephone by pressing more than a single button.

(c) Reaching for a mobile telephone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt that is installed as required by 49 CFR 393.93 and adjusted in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

(4) Subsections (1), (2), and (3) do not apply to an individual who is using a device described in subsection (1) or (3) to do any of the following:

(a) Report a traffic accident, medical emergency, or serious road hazard.

(b) Report a situation in which the person believes his or her personal safety is in jeopardy.

(c) Report or avert the perpetration or potential perpetration of a criminal act against the individual or another person.

(d) Carry out official duties as a police officer, law enforcement official, member of a paid or volunteer fire department, or operator of an emergency vehicle.

(e) Operate or program the operation of an automated motor vehicle while testing or operating the automated motor vehicle without a human operator.

(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person using an on-demand automated motor vehicle network.

(6) An individual who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction and shall must be ordered to pay a civil fine as follows:

(a) For a first violation, $100.00.$250.00.

(b) For a second or subsequent violation, $200.00.$500.00.

(7) This section supersedes all local ordinances regulating the use of a communications device while operating a motor vehicle in motion on a highway or street, except that a unit of local government may adopt an ordinance or enforce an existing ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.

Sec. 907. (1) A violation of this act, or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a provision of this act, that is designated a civil infraction shall must not be considered a lesser included offense of a criminal offense.

(2) If a person is determined under sections 741 to 750 to be responsible or responsible "with explanation" for a civil infraction under this act or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a provision of this act, the judge or district court magistrate may order the person to pay a civil fine of not more than $100.00 and costs as provided in subsection (4). However, if the civil infraction was a moving violation that resulted in an at-fault collision with another vehicle, a person, or any other object, the civil fine ordered under this section shall must be increased by $25.00 but the total civil fine shall not exceed $100.00. However, for a violation of section 602b, the person shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of $100.00 $250.00 for a first offense and $200.00 $500.00 for a second or subsequent offense. For a violation of section 674(1)(s) or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 674(1)(s), the person shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $250.00. For a violation of section 676c, the person shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of $1,000.00. For a violation of section 328, the civil fine ordered under this subsection shall be must not be more than $50.00. For a violation of section 710d, the civil fine ordered under this subsection shall must not exceed $10.00, subject to subsection (12). For a violation of section 710e, the civil fine and court costs ordered under this subsection shall must be $25.00. For a violation of section 682 or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 682, the person shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of not less than $100.00 or more than $500.00. For a violation of section 240, the civil fine ordered under this subsection shall must be $15.00. For a violation of section 252a(1), the civil fine ordered under this subsection shall must be $50.00. For a violation of section 676a(3), the civil fine ordered under this section shall be must not be more than $10.00. For a first violation of section 319f(1), the civil fine ordered under this section shall be must not be less than $2,500.00 or more than $2,750.00; for a second or subsequent violation, the civil fine shall be must not be less than $5,000.00 or more than $5,500.00. For a violation of section 319g(1)(a), the civil fine ordered under this section shall be must not be more than $10,000.00. For a violation of section 319g(1)(g), the civil fine ordered under this section shall be must not be less than $2,750.00 or more than $25,000.00. Permission may be granted for payment of a civil fine and costs to be made within a specified period of time or in specified installments, but unless permission is included in the order or judgment, the civil fine and costs shall must be payable immediately.

(3) Except as provided in this subsection, if a person is determined to be responsible or responsible "with explanation" for a civil infraction under this act or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a provision of this act while driving a commercial motor vehicle, he or she shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of not more than $250.00.

(4) If a civil fine is ordered under subsection (2) or (3), the judge or district court magistrate shall summarily tax and determine the costs of the action, which are not limited to the costs taxable in ordinary civil actions, and may include all expenses, direct and indirect, to which the plaintiff has been put in connection with the civil infraction, up to the entry of judgment. Costs shall must not be ordered in excess of $100.00. A civil fine ordered under subsection (2) or (3) shall must not be waived unless costs ordered under this subsection are waived. Except as otherwise provided by law, costs are payable to the general fund of the plaintiff.

(5) In addition to a civil fine and costs ordered under subsection (2) or (3) and subsection (4) and the justice system assessment ordered under subsection (13), the judge or district court magistrate may order the person to attend and complete a program of treatment, education, or rehabilitation.

(6) A district court magistrate shall impose the sanctions permitted under subsections (2), (3), and (5) only to the extent expressly authorized by the chief judge or only judge of the district court district.

(7) Each district of the district court and each municipal court may establish a schedule of civil fines, costs, and assessments to be imposed for civil infractions that occur within the respective district or city. If a schedule is established, it shall must be prominently posted and readily available for public inspection. A schedule need not include all violations that are designated by law or ordinance as civil infractions. A schedule may exclude cases on the basis of a defendant's prior record of civil infractions or traffic offenses, or a combination of civil infractions and traffic offenses.

(8) The state court administrator shall annually publish and distribute to each district and court a recommended range of civil fines and costs for first-time civil infractions. This recommendation is not binding upon the courts having jurisdiction over civil infractions but is intended to act as a normative guide for judges and district court magistrates and a basis for public evaluation of disparities in the imposition of civil fines and costs throughout the state.

(9) If a person has received a civil infraction citation for defective safety equipment on a vehicle under section 683, the court shall waive a civil fine, costs, and assessments upon receipt of certification by a law enforcement agency that repair of the defective equipment was made before the appearance date on the citation.

(10) A default in the payment of a civil fine or costs ordered under subsection (2), (3), or (4) or a justice system assessment ordered under subsection (13), or an installment of the fine, costs, or assessment, may be collected by a means authorized for the enforcement of a judgment under chapter 40 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.4001 to 600.4065, or under chapter 60 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.6001 to 600.6098.

(11) If a person fails to comply with an order or judgment issued under this section within the time prescribed by the court, the driver's license of that person shall must be suspended under section 321a until full compliance with that order or judgment occurs. In addition to this suspension, the court may also proceed under section 908.

(12) The court may waive any civil fine, cost, or assessment against a person who received a civil infraction citation for a violation of section 710d if the person, before the appearance date on the citation, supplies the court with evidence of acquisition, purchase, or rental of a child seating system meeting the requirements of section 710d.

(13) In addition to any civil fines or costs ordered to be paid under this section, the judge or district court magistrate shall order the defendant to pay a justice system assessment of $40.00 for each civil infraction determination, except for a parking violation or a violation for which the total fine and costs imposed are $10.00 or less. Upon payment of the assessment, the clerk of the court shall transmit the assessment collected to the state treasury to be deposited into the justice system fund created in section 181 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.181. An assessment levied under this subsection is not a civil fine for purposes of section 909.

(14) If a person has received a citation for a violation of section 223, the court shall waive any civil fine, costs, and assessment, upon receipt of certification by a law enforcement agency that the person, before the appearance date on the citation, produced a valid registration certificate that was valid on the date the violation of section 223 occurred.

(15) If a person has received a citation for a violation of section 328(1) for failing to produce a certificate of insurance under section 328(2), the court may waive the fee described in section 328(3)(c) and shall waive any fine, costs, and any other fee or assessment otherwise authorized under this act upon receipt of verification by the court that the person, before the appearance date on the citation, produced valid proof of insurance that was in effect at the time the violation of section 328(1) occurred. Insurance obtained subsequent to the time of the violation does not make the person eligible for a waiver under this subsection.

(16) If a person is determined to be responsible or responsible "with explanation" for a civil infraction under this act or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a provision of this act and the civil infraction arises out of the ownership or operation of a commercial quadricycle, he or she shall must be ordered to pay costs as provided in subsection (4) and a civil fine of not more than $500.00.

(17) As used in this section, "moving violation" means an act or omission prohibited under this act or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to this act that involves the operation of a motor vehicle and for which a fine may be assessed.