(Harrisburg) -- A ban against text messaging while driving has passed the General Assembly and now awaits Governor Corbett’s signature. The final proposal almost had unanimous support in the state Senate. The bill allows police to pull over drivers suspected of texting while driving and issue a $50 fine. Democratic Senator Jim Ferlo of Allegheny County says after years of debate, final passage is better late than never. "So, I’ll just conclude and say OMG and hallelujah," he says. But, five state senators voted against the proposal, including John Eichelberger, a Bedford County Republican. He says it’s a feel-good bill with no teeth. For example, he notes, the ban doesn’t apply to someone typing a phone number or name into a cell phone to begin a call. "So, if I’m holding my Blackberry and the officer sees me and stops me and I simply say, 'I was making a telephone call or checking my voicemail or using it for navigational purposes,' how’s he supposed to know what I was doing?" he asks. A spokesperson for the governor has said he’ll sign the bill, which would then take effect in about four months.