Governor Bill Lee gets the final say on whether Tennessee bans the use of handheld devices – including phones – while driving.

The State Senate voted 23-7 Tuesday to pass the bill; the House previously passed the measure 53-38.

If signed, the law would go into effect in July.

Violators would face up to a $50 fine; that could increase to as much as $200 in construction or school zones.

The law exempts law enforcement, campus police, emergency services and firefighters acting in an official capacity – or any citizen in an emergency situation.

Sixteen states and Washington, D.C., already prohibit handheld-cellphone use while driving. Currently in Tennessee, handheld phone use is banned in school zones.