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H.R. 3829 111th Congress House

FOCUS Act of 2009

Official title: To amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce the amount of Federal highway funding available to States that do not enact a law prohibiting the use of certa… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend title 23, United States Code, to reduce the amount of Federal highway funding available to States that do not enact a law prohibiting the use of certain communication devices while operating a motor vehicle, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 15, 2009 See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative law and regulatory proceduresDepartment of TransportationIntergovernmental relationsMotor vehicles
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
State and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communicationTransportation programs fundingTransportation safety and security
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 16, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Oct 15, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Oct 15, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 16, 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Fighting Occupied Cell Use So Everyone Drives More Safely Act of 2009 or the FOCUS Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 25% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway program funds for the fiscal year if the state has not enacted or is not enforcing a law that: (1) prohibits, except in an emergency, an operator of a moving motor vehicle from using any communication device if he or she is under 21, and a hand-held communication device if he or she is 21 or older; and (2) requires, upon conviction of a violation of such prohibition, the imposition of certain minimum penalties.

Defines "communication device" to mean any mobile telephone or other portable electronic communication device which a user engages in a call or writes, sends, or reads a message.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 3535 ALERT Drivers Act
  • HR 4153 To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish national standards to prevent distracted driving, and for other pur…
  • HR 5097 Erica's Law
  • S 1536 ALERT Drivers Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3829: FOCUS Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3829/
MLA
"H.R. 3829: FOCUS Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3829/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3829, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3829/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3829: FOCUS Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-3829/)
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