Arkansas lawmakers have voted down a bill that would bar drivers from using hand-held cell phones in school zones during school hours.
The members of the House voted 46-47 on Monday to defeat the legislation after several representatives raised concerns about whether the bill would affect parents waiting to pick up children.
Rep. Fred Allen, who proposed the bill, says he hopes to gain enough votes to bring the bill back.
A Senate committee advanced a similar proposal by Sen. Jerry Taylor, D-Pine Bluff, shortly after the House defeated Allen’s proposal.
Taylor’s bill would prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones in school zones and highway work zones. He said he’s surprised Allen’s measure was defeated by the House. Taylor’s measure now heads to the full Senate for a vote.