SAFE TO DRIVE Act
Bill: H.R.762 | Sponsor: Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja (D-IL)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
States Afforded Funding Extensions To Oppose Driving Recklessly In Vehicular Engagements Act or the SAFE TO DRIVE Act
This bill requires the Department of Transportation to use up to 25% of the amounts available for national priority safety program grants to award grants to any state that certifies it has enacted a distracted driving statute that (1) is applicable to drivers of all ages, (2) makes a violation of the statute a primary offense, and (3) prohibits texting or all non-navigational viewing of a personal wireless communications device.

To amend title 23, United States Code, to require the Secretary of 
Transportation to provide States applying for distracted driving grants 
an explanation of the eligibility decision with respect to such State, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``States Afforded Funding Extensions 
To Oppose Driving Recklessly In Vehicular Engagements Act'' or the 
``SAFE TO DRIVE Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL PRIORITY SAFETY PROGRAMS.

    Section 405(e) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:
            ``(6) Additional distracted driving grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), 
                the Secretary shall use up to 25 percent of the amounts 
                available for grants under this subsection to award 
                grants to any State otherwise ineligible under this 
                subsection that certifies that such State has enacted a 
                statute that--
                            ``(i) is applicable to drivers of all ages;
                            ``(ii) makes a violation of the statute a 
                        primary offense; and
                            ``(iii) prohibits--
                                    ``(I) texting, as defined in 
                                paragraph (10)(E); or
                                    ``(II) non-navigational viewing of 
                                a personal wireless communication 
                                device.
                    ``(B) Use of grant funds.--Notwithstanding 
                paragraph (5), amounts received by a State under 
                subparagraph (A) may be used for activities related to 
                the enforcement of distracted driving laws, including 
                for public information and awareness purposes.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
            ``(9) Determinations of grant eligibility.--
                    ``(A) Explanation of determination.--In making an 
                eligibility determination in granting or denying an 
                application of a State for a grant under this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall provide each applicant 
                State with an explanation of such determination, 
                including an explanation of whether each section of the 
                statute submitted with such application met or did not 
                meet the requirements for a grant under this 
                subsection.
                    ``(B) Availability of determination.--Not later 
                than 60 days after granting or denying an application 
                for a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                make the determination under subparagraph (A) publicly 
                available on the Department of Transportation 
                website.''.
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