HB 34 (2009): prohibiting writing a text message while driving.

Cite this page

Granite Record indexes the General Court’s record; it is not that record. Where a citation allows only one source, cite the General Court — every page here links to what it is drawn from. The date below is the day the page was read.

MLA: “HB 34 (2009): prohibiting writing a text message while driving.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb34. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
APA: Granite Record. (n.d.). HB 34 (2009): prohibiting writing a text message while driving. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb34
Chicago: Granite Record. “HB 34 (2009): prohibiting writing a text message while driving.” Accessed 24 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb34.
BibTeX: @misc{bill-2009-hb34, title = {HB 34 (2009): prohibiting writing a text message while driving.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2009/hb34}, note = {Accessed 24 Oct. 2026} }

HB 34 (2009)

prohibiting writing a text message while driving.

Status: Signed into law
Term: 2009-2010
House committee: Transportation
Senate committee: Transportation and Interstate Cooperation
Subject: Motor Vehicles
Chapter law: 291

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2009 and referred to the House Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 21, 2009. The committee held a work session on February 12, 2009. The committee met in executive session on March 12, 2009 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it (amendment 0404h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 12–4. The committee's amendment (0404h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 24, 2009, changing the text of the bill. On March 24, 2009 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 222–137. It crossed to the Senate on April 8, 2009 and was referred to the Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation committee. The committee held a public hearing on May 14, 2009. The committee recommended that the Senate pass it. On May 20, 2009 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on May 20, 2009 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on July 31, 2009, making it Chapter 291 of the session laws.

Hearings and Sessions

January 21, 2009, 9:30 AM: public hearing, House Transportation, LOB 201-203
February 12, 2009, 2:00 PM: full committee work session, House Transportation, LOB 203
March 12, 2009, 9:30 AM: executive session, House Transportation, LOB 207
May 14, 2009, 11:30 AM: hearing, Senate Transportation and Interstate Cooperation, LOB 101

Votes

March 24, 2009, House: OTP / AM 0404H (NT) — yeas 222, nays 137, passed
May 20, 2009, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

January 7, 2009: Introduced 1/7/2009 and Referred to Transportation
January 21, 2009: Public Hearing: 1/21/2009 9:30 AM LOB 201-203
February 12, 2009: Full Committee Work Session: 2/12/2009 2:00 PM LOB 203
March 12, 2009: Executive Session: 3/12/2009 9:30 AM LOB 207 (Orig LOB 203)
March 16, 2009: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with AM #0404h (NT) for Mar 24 RC (vote 12-4); HC22, PG.677
March 16, 2009: Proposed Majority Committee Amendment #0404h (New Title)
March 16, 2009: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate
March 24, 2009: Amendment #0404h (New Title) Adopted, VV
March 24, 2009: Ought to Pass with Amendment #0404h (New Title): MA RC 222-137
April 8, 2009: Introduced and Referred to Transportation & Interstate Cooperation
May 14, 2009: Hearing; May 14, 2009, Room 101, LOB, 11:30 a.m.; SC23
May 14, 2009: Committee Report; Ought to Pass [05/20/09]; SC24
May 20, 2009: Ought to Pass, MA, VV; OT3rdg
May 20, 2009: Passed by Third Reading Resolution
May 20, 2009: Enrolled
May 20, 2009: Enrolled
July 31, 2009: Signed by the Governor 07/31/2009; Effective 01/01/2010; Chapter 0291

Laws It Would Change

RSA 265