A new bill, looks at cracking down on distracted driving, and the line to renew your driver's license may be getting shorter.

Our Mackenzie Spink tells us about the bills moving swiftly in Frankfort, and tonight's legislative updates.

Senate Bill seven would allow offices in counties without a regional licensing office to renew driver's licenses.

For example, at the offices of county clerks, sheriff's departments and county judge executives.

Senator Erin Reid says the current 35 regional driver's licensing offices to serve 120 counties is not accessible enough.

We have long drives, long lines and repeated delays have created real frustration across the Commonwealth.

In many rural counties, families are traveling up to an hour or more just to obtain a license.

Under the bill, no county is required to offer license renewal services.

Reid says one of the main concerns from county offices was funding.

There's also a $25 convenience fee added to this.

It's retained locally so that the counties can break even and avoid an unfunded mandate that you hear so much about.

Over the summer.

Derby reported that illegal immigrants received licenses at Kentucky regional offices.

Reid says Senate Bill seven doesn't directly address that issue.

I know one of the comments or problems that we've seen was some fraud cases that took place with issuing driver's licenses.

Do you think restoring this back to the county level will help with that broad issue?

It won't directly affect the fraud.

However.

This again, is just going to be renewals only.

And it's important to note is that anyone.

The burden will be on the local elected officials.

So the people if there is fraud, will be able to hold their elected officials accountable.

Senate Bill seven passed out of committee unanimously.

The phone down Kentucky Act also passed out of committee favorably this morning.

Senate Bill 28 would make it illegal to have your phone in your hand while driving.

I had really no intention of getting involved in this bill until Alisha Byrnes came forward.

Her daughter, Kimberly Byrnes, was killed by a distracted driver.

Even though the bill's not named for Kimberly.

I do that out of respect and for her memory.

If passed, the new law would prohibit holding your phone to make texts or calls while driving.

But a display that is part of your car's original manufacturing is allowed.

As well as mounting your phone to your dashboard, using an earpiece or wristwatch for voice messages is permitted, and you may use your phone at a stoplight or in standstill traffic.

Mister chairman, that was one of the biggest complaints we had with last year's bill, that it said you had to pull over to the side of the road, you couldn't talk while you were stopped at a traffic light, are stuck in traffic.

This bill doesn't limit that.

Although the bill passed unanimously in committee, the issue of phone usage at a red light was a point of disagreement among some lawmakers.

I would really like to see us address the red light issue or stoplight issue, I think.

I think that's a safety issue as well.

You've got me to a point where I can support this bill, and I just want to make sure that, for the record, you understand that if there's any form limits or if it's not kept clean, I won't be able necessarily to support the bill moving forward.

The bill does not apply to emergency calls.

Commercial drivers using a handheld radio, or first responders using their phone in an official capacity.

For Kentucky edition, I'm Mackenzie Spink.

Thank you.

Mackenzie.

Under Senate Bill 28, an officer can pull you over if they see you on your phone while driving.

The penalty is a $100 fine, which would go towards the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund.

The Kentucky Trauma Care System Fund and the Veterans Program Trust Fund.