Louisiana HB844: MTR VEHICLE/VIOLATIONS: Defines the term "school zone" relative to the operation of a motor vehicle while using a wireless telecommunication device (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

What the bill says

An act To amend and reenact R.S. 32:59(A)(5) and to enact R.S. 32:59(A)(6), relative to the use of the wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle; to provide for definitions; to establish the boundary and when a school zone is in effect; and to provide for related matters.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S. 32:59(A)(5) and to enact R.S. 32:59(A)(6), relative to the use of the wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle; to provide for definitions; to establish the boundary and when a school zone is in effect; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana: Section 1. R.S. 32:59(A)(5) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 32:59(A)(6) is hereby enacted to read as follows: §59. Use of wireless telecommunications device prohibited; exceptions A. Unless otherwise provided in this Subsection, all terms used in this Section shall have the same meaning as defined in R.S. 32:1. As used in this Section, the following terms shall apply: * * * (5) "School zone" means any designated area adjacent to a public or private kindergarten through twelfth grade school or postsecondary institution, that is properly marked with official school warning or similar traffic control signage, including those provided in Chapter 7 of the Department of Transportation and Development Traffic Engineering Manual relating to schools, and that extends not less that two hundred fifty feet prior to the beginning of the school zone. A school Page 1 of CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored are additions. HLS 26RS-391 ORIGINAL HB NO. zone shall be in …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Fontenot, Bryan (R, 55) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. June 1, 2026: Effective date: 08/01/2026.
2. June 1, 2026: Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 677.
3. May 29, 2026: Sent to the Governor for executive approval.
4. May 28, 2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.
5. May 28, 2026: Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
6. May 28, 2026: Received from the Senate without amendments.
7. May 27, 2026: Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
8. May 27, 2026: Called from the Calendar.
9. May 13, 2026: Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
10. May 13, 2026: Rules suspended.

Votes

• Senate Vote on HB 844, FINAL PASSAGE (#1476) (May 27, 2026): 36 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Vote on HB 844, FINAL PASSAGE (#322) (April 7, 2026): 101 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB844?

HB844 is a bill in the Louisiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): MTR VEHICLE/VIOLATIONS: Defines the term "school zone" relative to the operation of a motor vehicle while using a wireless telecommunication device (EN NO IMPACT See Note).

What does HB844 do?

In its own words: An act To amend and reenact R.S. 32:59(A)(5) and to enact R.S. 32:59(A)(6), relative to the use of the wireless telecommunications devices while operating a motor vehicle; to provide for definitions; to establish the boundary and when a school zone is in effect; and to provide for related matters.

What is the status of HB844?

Signed into law as of June 1, 2026. Latest action: Effective date: 08/01/2026. (June 1, 2026).

Who sponsored HB844?

Fontenot, Bryan (R, 55).

Where is the official record for HB844?

On the Louisiana Legislature website: https://legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=26RS&b=HB844