SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The fine for illegally using a cellphone while driving in California would increase from $20 to $30 under a bill approved by the state Senate, although the actual cost would climb to at least $199 for first offenders once court fees are collected.

      Sen. Joe Simitian, a Democrat from Palo Alto, says California's existing ban on drivers' use of handheld devices would be more effective with a higher penalty. The money would go to driver education programs.

      With court and other fees, a first offense currently costs at least $159. Gov. Jerry Brown last year vetoed Simitian's bill to raise the base fine to $50, saying penalties in California's four-year-old law should be enough to deter illegal cellphone use.

      SB1310 was sent to the Assembly on a 24-9 vote Monday.

      
      (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)