Capitol Alert: Jerry Brown gets bill to raise cellphone fines

The latest on California politics and government

August 15, 2011

Jerry Brown gets bill to raise cellphone fines

Legislation that would increase fines for using a cellphone while driving - and making the law apply to bicyclists as well - was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown Monday.

The Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 28 by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, on a 23-13 vote after Simitian told senators that while the current law on automotive cellphone use had worked well, raising fines would make it work better.

Under SB 28, the basic fine for a first automotive offense would jump from $20 to $50 and for subsequent offenses from $50 to $100. However, with state and local assessments tacked on, the total bite for a first offense would jump from $208 to $328 and for additional tickets from $328 to $528.

Tickets for riding a bike while talking on a cellphone would be $20 for a first offense and $50 for additional tickets, but there would be no assessments.

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