A signature away

How SkyMall plays into Texas' texting while driving ban: Something for Perry toponder

Texting while driving: Just a signature away from being illegal.
The "Safe Driving System," available through SkyMall
www.skymall.com

As with many great questions, the answer to this one is SkyMall.

A bill that would ban texting (and IMing and emailing) while driving in Texas has passed both the House and the Senate, and now awaits only Gov. Rick Perry's signature to become law.

The bill — which began as as a measure that dealt with retired police officers and weapons proficiency testing — has been amended to make texting while driving a statewide offense in Texas punishable by up to a $200 fine and 30 days in jail.

If a driver's texting resulted in serious injury or death, the offense could be bumped to a Class B misdemeanor, which can be punishable by up to $2,000 and 180 days in jail.

"Texting," as defined by the bill, also includes sending, reading or receiving instant messages and email, although the bill contains exceptions for emergency calls. Additionally, if a driver had voice-activated system for sending messages and emails, that would be permitted.

How can law enforcement enforce such a law? SkyMall has a method.

The "Safe Driving System," available online and in the current catalog, includes smartphone software as well as a hardware device that plugs into the vehicle and prevents the driver from texting or placing phone calls while the car is running. When the car is started, the hardware device puts the driver's phone into "Safe Driving Mode," and only 911 calls and two other pre-installed emergency contact numbers are permitted to be dialed.

What do you think of the texting while driving ban? Is it enforceable, or is it too much to hope for us all to get SkyMall products courtesy of the state?

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana