Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB122

Introduced
1/30/25  

Caption

Prohibiting the use of an electronic communications device while operating a motor vehicle and providing penalties for violations thereof.

Impact

The bill stipulates clear penalties for violations, starting with a $150 fine for a first-time offense and escalating to $500 for repeat violations. More severe consequences are set for violations resulting in property damage or bodily injury, including misdemeanor charges and potential felony status if death occurs. These structured penalties aim to deter drivers from using electronic devices, thereby promoting adherence to traffic safety regulations. Additionally, the bill includes exceptions for emergency service personnel and certain hands-free operations, demonstrating a measured approach to enforcement.

Summary

Senate Bill 122 aims to enhance traffic safety by prohibiting the use of electronic communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. The bill defines 'electronic communication devices' broadly, including mobile phones, tablets, and other handheld devices used for communication or data retrieval. The primary objective of SB122 is to reduce distracted driving incidents, which are a significant cause of road accidents and fatalities. By limiting the use of these devices, the bill seeks to create a safer driving environment for all road users.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB122 include concerns about enforcement and the potential for overreach into personal freedoms. Some lawmakers and advocacy groups argument that blanket prohibitions could lead to unjust penalties for minor infractions. Additionally, the bill raises questions about the adequacy of current infrastructure and educational efforts to inform the public about the new regulations. Opponents caution that the focus should also be on comprehensive driver education about the dangers of distracted driving rather than solely on punitive measures.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SCR1601

Informing the Governor that the two houses of the Legislature are organized and ready to receive communications.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SCR1604

Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to limit property tax valuation increases for real property and personal property mobile homes.

Similar Bills

PA HB1970

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.

CA AB1800

Portable electronics and optical products insurance.

TX SB1531

Relating to the electronic payment of ad valorem taxes; authorizing a fee.

PA SB861

In general provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in licensing of drivers, further providing for issuance and content of driver's license and for carrying and exhibiting driver's license on demand.

NJ S1336

The "Uniform Electronic Wills Act"; authorizes electronic wills.

NJ A3229

The "Uniform Electronic Wills Act"; authorizes electronic wills.

MD SB842

Electronic Smoking Devices - Seizure and Wholesaler Record-Keeping Requirements

NV AB18

Revises provisions relating to the electronic filing of certain documents. (BDR 5-469)