Two house bills go into effect July 1.

People in the state of Mississippi will now be penalized for texting while driving or posting to social media sites while behind the wheel.

State Rep. Oscar Denton, D-Vicksburg, is one of the main voices behind the new ban on texting and driving and the new law, which Denton helped write.

“It will save many lives. It was everything that we needed,” Denton said. “If we can bring awareness and make driving a whole lot safer, then it is absolutely necessary. I wanted to make driving safer in Mississippi.”

The penalty for texting while driving will be a $25 fine for the first year the law is in effect and $100 after.

Denton and another state legislator wrote separate bills to prohibit texting and driving in the state. Denton’s bill did not pass, but according to him, the language of each bill was exactly the same.

“They took both of our versions, but mine wasn’t the one that was passed,” Denton said.

After years of debate and failed tries to pass, another law taking affect will eliminate the $5 annual inspection sticker needing to be placed on drivers’ cars. However, drivers with tinted windows will need to get a one-time inspection.

“It was hard for people in some areas to get inspection stickers,” Denton said. “It was also being abused by some people that couldn’t get the proper sticker. We needed to change it and do it right.”

Two senate bills will also take effect. One eliminates the need for a concealed-carry license to have a gun in a purse or briefcase.

Another senate bill removes civil-service protection from Mississippi Department of Corrections employees for one year.