The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday that prohibits texting while driving.
The bill, which passed the Assembly in January, provides a penalty of between $20 and $400 for the first offense and between $200 and $800 for the second.
Opponents of the bill said it was unnecessary because of existing laws prohibiting inattentive driving. Senators supporting the bill, however, said it was needed because such laws leave the decision to issue a ticket up to the individual police officer.
""If we pass this it is very specific. If you are texting, it is illegal,"" state Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, said during the debate. ""It really takes the onus off the officer, because he doesn't have to make this decision was that person inattentive driving or not. It's if you are doing this activity it is against the law.""
Supporters also said it is important to emphasize the dangers of texting while driving to young people.
""This is aimed at kids. We all know what inattentive driving is, but this is a different generation. [This] really needs to be hammered home, this particular message on texting and driving. It's not safe,"" state Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Waunakee, said during the debate.
The bill passed 30-3.
The Senate also passed several other bills, including limits on race-based school mascots and restrictions on payday loans.
A bill that creates procedures for complaints on race-based school mascots passed on a 17-16 vote. The bill allows residents of a school district to complain to the state superintendent if they find their school's mascot, name or logo to be racially discriminating. If the school board cannot prove that it is not discriminating, then the school must change it within a year.
A bill that provides consumer-protection restrictions on payday loan companies also passed on a 21-12 vote. It requires payday lenders to have state-issued licenses and restricts the amount of interest that borrowers can be charged.
