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)
HB 844 clarifies Louisiana's definition of a "school zone" to apply the existing ban on handheld wireless device use while driving. It specifies that a school zone includes areas marked with official signage within 250 feet of schools (public or private K-12/postsecondary), active 60 minutes before and after school start/end times. This directly affects drivers operating vehicles in these designated zones during those periods. The bill also explicitly excludes hands-free devices, permanently mounted tech, and certain radio equipment from the ban.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Feb 27, 2026
Signed Jun 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB844 Original
→
HB844 Act 677
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enrolled as Act No. 677, finalizing its passage into law. The substantive text regarding school zone definitions and wireless device usage remains consistent between the original draft and the final act, with no changes to the operational rules or penalties.
Scope change
The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to regulate the use of wireless devices in school zones as previously drafted.
TECHNICAL
Formal enrollment status was added, designating the bill as Act No. 677 and including signatures from the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and the Governor.
Minor formatting adjustments were made to the header and page numbering to reflect the official enrolled version.
Floor votes · Senate May 27, 2026 · House Apr 7, 2026
How they voted
37–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 40
May 27, 2026
D
Democratic12
91% Yea
R
Republican28
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
23
Key actions
4
Committee
5
May 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read by title, passed by a vote of 36 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
upper
May 4, 2026
Committee
Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
upper
Apr 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably.
upper
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 101, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably (16-0).
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bryan Fontenot
RRepublican
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