FOCUS Act of 2009

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 15, 2009

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.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Brady, Robert A. [D-PA-1] · D–PA

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

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
Oct 15, 2009
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Oct 15, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.3829 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.3829, 111th Congress: FOCUS Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3829

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3829/BILLS-111hr3829ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.3829 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.3829 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.3829, 111th Congress: FOCUS Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3829

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3829/BILLS-111hr3829ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3829 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.3829 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3829, 111th Congress: FOCUS Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3829

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3829/BILLS-111hr3829ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3829 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.3829 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.3829, 111th Congress: FOCUS Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/3829

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2009-10-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr3829/BILLS-111hr3829ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T16:16:32Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.3829 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.