SB 1318 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Traffic Offenses

Summary

Traffic Offenses; Prohibiting a person from operating a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner; providing an exception; requiring that sustained use of a wireless communications device by a person operating a motor vehicle be conducted through a hands-free accessory until such use is terminated; revising penalty provisions relating to the use of wireless communications devices in a handheld manner in certain circumstances; requiring persons cited for specified infractions that result in a crash with another vehicle to appear at a certain mandatory hearing, etc.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 10, 2025 Last action Jun 16, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 1318 Filed → S 1318 c1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Florida's hands-free driving law to strengthen penalties for distracted driving, particularly when crashes occur. It adds new exemptions for autonomous vehicle operators, requires law enforcement to record violator demographics, and establishes mandatory hearings with enhanced civil penalties for certain crash-related infractions.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by adding autonomous vehicle operation as an exemption to handheld device prohibitions and by requiring mandatory hearings for specific crash-related violations that previously did not require them.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemption for operators of autonomous vehicles with automated driving systems engaged when operating handheld devices.

ENFORCEMENT

Requires law enforcement officers to record race and ethnicity of violators and report this data annually to state officials.

Increased civil penalties for certain crash-related infractions, with higher fines and longer license suspensions for repeat offenses and vulnerable road user incidents.

REQUIREMENT

Establishes mandatory hearings for certain traffic infractions that result in crashes with other vehicles, requiring violators to appear before a designated official.

Requires law enforcement to inform drivers of their right to decline searches of wireless devices and prohibits warrantless access or confiscation.

FISCAL

Mandates that civil penalties from mandatory hearings be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund to support trauma centers.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025

How they voted

29–7

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 38

Apr 9, 2025

D Democratic10

7 Yea 3 Nay

70% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

21 Yea 4 Nay 2

77% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 29 NAYS 7

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 04/01/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 15 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 03/26/25, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Transportation; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Transportation, 03/12/25, 8:30 am, 37 Senate Building

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Rules

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors