SB 649-FN (2026): increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.
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- MLA
- “SB 649-FN (2026): increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.” Granite Record, https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb649. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.
- APA
- Granite Record. (n.d.). SB 649-FN (2026): increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle. Retrieved 19 Oct. 2026, from https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb649
- Chicago
- Granite Record. “SB 649-FN (2026): increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.” Accessed 19 Oct. 2026. https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb649.
- BibTeX
@misc{bill-2026-sb649, title = {SB 649-FN (2026): increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.}, howpublished = {Granite Record}, url = {https://graniterecord.org/bill/2026/sb649}, note = {Accessed 19 Oct. 2026} }
SB 649-FN (2026)
increasing fines for using a hand-held mobile electronic device while driving a motor vehicle.
- Status: Signed into law
- Term: 2025-2026
- House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- Senate committee: Transportation
- Subject: Motor Vehicles
- Chapter law: 114
The Story
It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Transportation committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 13, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 4–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On January 29, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on February 19, 2026 and was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on March 18, 2026, with 12 people signed in online: 10 in support and 2 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on March 20, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted 11–1 to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On April 9, 2026 the House failed “Lay SB649 on Table” on a division vote 168–186, on a motion by Rep. Buzz Scherr. On April 9, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a division vote 232–123. The bill was enrolled on May 14, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor signed it on May 28, 2026, making it Chapter 114 of the session laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
Sponsors
- Sen. Donovan Fenton (D - SD10) (prime sponsor)
- Sen. Regina Birdsell (R - SD19)
- Rep. Karel Crawford (R - Carr 3)
- Sen. Bill Gannon (R - SD23)
- Rep. Ted Gorski (R - Hills 2)
- Sen. Mark McConkey (R - SD3)
- Rep. Nancy Murphy (D - Hills 12)
- Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
- Sen. Denise Ricciardi (R - SD9)
- Rep. Terry Roy (R - Rock 31)
Hearings and Sessions
- January 13, 2026, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Transportation, SH 122-123
- January 29, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
- March 18, 2026, 3:00 PM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
- March 20, 2026, 2:00 PM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
- April 9, 2026: floor debate, House
Votes
- January 29, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
- April 9, 2026, House: Lay SB649 on Table — yeas 168, nays 186, failed
- April 9, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — yeas 232, nays 123, passed
The Docket
- January 7, 2026: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Transportation
- January 13, 2026: Hearing: 01/13/2026, Room 122-123, SH, 02:00 pm
- January 29, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass, 01/29/2026; Vote 4-0; CC
- January 29, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 01/29/2026
- February 19, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety
- March 18, 2026: Public Hearing: 03/18/2026 03:00 pm GP 159
- March 20, 2026: Executive Session: 03/20/2026 02:00 pm GP 159
- March 20, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass 03/20/2026 (Vote 11-1; CC)
- April 3, 2026: Removed from Consent (Reps. Alexander Jr., Tom Mannion, McFarlane, Barton, D. Kelley, DeVito, Reinfurt, Granger, Thibault, Giasson) 04/03/2026
- April 9, 2026: Lay SB649 on Table (Rep. Scherr): MF DV 168-186 04/09/2026
- April 9, 2026: Ought to Pass: MA DV 232-123 04/09/2026
- May 14, 2026: Enrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026)
- May 14, 2026: Enrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026
- May 28, 2026: Signed by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 114; Effective 01/01/2027