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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2003

For More Information, Contact:
Lark Park at (916) 651-4011

HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE BILL TO BE HEARD ON ASSEMBLY FLOOR

SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced he will present Assembly Bill 45, which requires cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving, on the Assembly floor tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, 2003.

AB 45 passed out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee last Wednesday on a vote of 19 to 6. Earlier this year, the bill passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee on a vote of 14 to 5, with 1 abstention.

Simitian is gaining momentum in his effort to make California the second State in the nation to have a hands-free cell phone law on the books. (New York passed a similar law in 2001.) More than 20 state legislators are co-authoring AB 45. The bill also has significant support from law enforcement, Global 500 businesses, and healthcare providers. If AB 45 passes out of the full Assembly on Thursday, it will go to the Senate Transportation Committee next.

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