A key lawmaker says this will be the year her texting-while-driving ban passes on its fourth try.

State senator Nancy Detert, a Venice Republican, says the bill bans drivers from sending or receiving messages while operating a vehicle.

Detert says the bill has passed the Senate twice but was never heard in the House.

"But this year is going to be our year", Detert said. "We have a good House sponsor. We have a good Speaker of the House, good Senate president, so the no-texting-while-driving bill, I hope, will pass this year."

Under Detert's bill, drivers could still read navigational devices or weather alerts. Texting while driving would be punishable by a $30 fine.