This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

HB63 • The House passed legislation Friday that would let drivers answer or place phone calls while driving, diluting a ban on cellphone use that passed the Legislature last year.

"Although we don't want the manipulation of the device, either by dialing or texting — that would still be prohibited ­— [the bill] would still allow you to have the single-touch answer and hang-up component," said Rep. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi.

Originally, Anderegg's HB63 would have gone further, including allowing drivers to use their phones to play music, but that was removed from the bill.

Rep. Lee Perry, R-Perry, a Utah Highway Patrol section commander, said he has seen the harm done by drivers using cellphones and supported last year's bill, but believes the change is a good one and voted for the bill.

The measure passed the House 65-7 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

— Robert Gehrke