DES MOINES — Legislation that would ban the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving cleared a major hurdle Tuesday when Senate Transportation Committee members voted without dissent to approve it and keep it alive for further action yet this session.

Tuesday’s approval meant Senate Study Bill 1079 survived this week’s “funnel” deadline to pass at least one standing legislative committee to stay eligible for further consideration. Passage came after senators amended the bill to exempt hands-free built-in or voice-activated global positioning systems and allowed for hand-held cellphone use for emergency calls.

The proposed legislation, which won 3-0 subcommittee support with the amendment from Rep. Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake, would ban the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving. Representatives of auto manufacturers also asked that the bill be modified to allow for future advancements like voice-activated texting or built-in navigation that would not require setting by hand while driving.

Read the full article on the Cedar Rapids Gazette website.