When it comes to texting while driving, some lawmakers say, “It can wait.”

That’s the message state lawmakers considered Wednesday when they heard a measure that would increase the penalty for text messaging while driving.

Lawmakers delayed a committee vote on the measure until next week, as bill sponsors work on amendments, in which they could lower the proposed increase in fines.

The measure would increase the penalty for texting while driving to a $500 fine and five points against the violator’s driver’s license for a first offense. It would rise to a $750 fine and six points for a second or subsequent offense.

The current fine is $50 and one point for a first offense and a $100 fine and one point for a second or subsequent offense.

The bill, sponsored by two Democrats, faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate. The committee the bill has been assigned to – Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs – is used as a “kill committee” by the majority party to end unfavorable legislation.

The legislation is sponsored by Sen. Lois Court of Denver and Rep. Jovan Melton of Aurora.

“My bottom line is public safety,” Court said. “I believe that significantly raising the fines will get people’s attention and make them more aware of how very dangerous this practice is.”

Supporters of the legislation say the penalties are too low to discourage drivers from engaging in the dangerous activity.

Colorado State Patrol pulled over 1,471 vehicles in 2016 for violating the texting while driving law.

Sen. Owen Hill, R-Colorado Springs, expressed concerns that if the fines are too high, people will challenge it in court.

“I know this is going to become a big judicial issue,” he said.

But Cara Denney, who lost two good friends when they were hit on a motorcycle by a drunk, texting driver, said the time to crackdown is now. Denney started a group, Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving, to address the issue.

“We realized that Colorado law had to change,” Denney said. “We’re thrilled to see this bill come onto the table. It is absolutely killing people, people we know, that we love. It’s time for a change.”

Democrats have expressed disappointment that the bill was assigned to State Affairs, suggesting that Republicans aren’t willing to give the legislation a fair hearing.

But Senate Republican Leader Chris Holbert of Parker said Democrats are inferring too much.

“There is a conversation every year, the minority party rightly points out that bills go to State Affairs and the minority comes up with reasons for why that happens,” Holbert said. “I think this is the right committee for this bill.

“My encouragement to Sen. Court was to consider the level of fine. It seems pretty steep. If the fines are too low now, I think the question for the committee to answer is is $500 too high?”