Members of the House just voted 35-30 in favor of the bill, which would still allow motorists to use mobile phones with a hands-free device and would permit exceptions for emergency calls.

The proposal is one of Gov. Bill Richardson's public safety initiatives for the current legislative session.

It now advances to the Senate for consideration. If it's approved there and signed into law by Richardson, New Mexico would become the seventh state to adopt a statewide ban for driving while talking or texting on a cell phone.