Texting at the wheel: CU L8R

The bill is backed by wireless companies including Motorola and T-Mobile.

The insurance companies Liberty Mutual and State Farm, as well as the California Bicycle Coalition and the Center for Auto Safety, also support the measure.

Simitian said he has been challenged many times by people who wonder why the Senate has to legislate something that is common sense. "Regrettably, common sense isn't always that common," he said.

The text-message bill was passed on the same day the Senate approved dozens of other bills, and unanimously elected veteran Sen. Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) as the next Senate president pro tem.

Steinberg called for his colleagues to "rise above partisanship" in trying to solve California's current budget crisis.

He pledged to improve the state's education and healthcare systems and to solve what he called the state's "maddening" financial problems.

"I will give every ounce of my energy, every ounce of my intellect . . . to work with you, to work with the people of California to accomplish great things," said Steinberg, who takes over as leader of the Senate on Nov. 30.

Other bills approved Thursday by the Senate include SB 1230, which would outlaw using detergents with specific levels of phosphorus starting July 1, 2010. Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) wrote the bill, citing the health risk.

Another measure that was approved would require carbon-monoxide alarms in homes that have fossil fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages, starting in July 2010. SB 1386 was written by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).

--

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com