Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1176

Date: 03/10/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1176

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.014 (Attachment E). The motion Moved amendment L.018 (Attachment F) to amendment Moved amendment L.019 (Attachment D) to L.014 (Att Moved to refer House Bill 09-1176, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

02:13 PM -- House Bill 09-1176

Representative Green, prime sponsor of House Bill 09-1176, discussed the merits of the bill. The bill would make statutory changes to the permitting and licensing process for minor drivers. The bill was previously heard by the committee at its February 5, 2009, and March 3, 2009, meetings. Representative Green provided copies of Amendment L.019 to the committee (Attachment D).

02:16 PM

Representative Green moved Amendment L.014, and Amendment L.019 to Amendment L.014. Representative McFadyen acknowledged individuals wishing to provide testimony, and stated that testimony would be taken during the active motion.

02:18 PM

Representative Green discussed Amendment L.019 (Attachment D). The amendment would amend Amendment L.014, distributed during a previous committee meeting, by requiring the Department of Revenue to not issue a driver's license to an individual under 18 years of age unless he or she has completed a four-hour prequalification driver awareness program. Representative Green responded to questions from committee members specific to L.019 and L.014. Representative McFadyen asked Representative Green to discuss what state law would be should the bill pass. Representative Green described what requirements would be imposed according to age range.

02:29 PM

Representative McFadyen provided clarification to the committee on changes the bill would make to existing state law. Representative Green responded to questions from committee members and provided further information on requirements in place for an individual holding a driver's permit to receive a driver's license.

02:36 PM

Representative McFadyen asked for remaining witnesses to testify regarding the bill.

2:36 PM -- Ms. Laurie Becker, representing herself, testified regarding the bill. Ms. Becker stated that there is a lack of research demonstrating a correlation between certain driver education methods and driver safety. Ms. Becker stated particular concerns regarding Internet-based driver education. Responding to a question from Representative Primavera, Ms. Becker discussed the proposed 30-hour training provision.

2:44 PM

Representative Primavera asked if the Department of Revenue currently regulates Internet-based driver education programs. Ms. Becker stated concerns that existing driver education programs would be unable to handle the increased customers seeking to meet new statutory driver education requirements.

2:48 PM

Representative Green responded to the witness testimony received during previous committee meetings. Representative Green further discussed existing gaps in requirements for minor drivers of varying ages.

2:51 PM -- Ms. Annmarie Jensen, representing various driver education schools, testified regarding the bill. Ms. Jensen discussed requirements imposed upon Internet-based driver education programs. She further stated that she has seen no research supporting the claim that Internet-based programs are inferior to traditional classroom programs. Ms. Jensen further stated that the bill would be both cost effective, while still meeting federal and state requirements.

02:57 PM

Representative Frangas asked for clarification on a memorandum provided by the Legislative Council Staff (Attachment G). The memorandum provides a visual presentation of requirements imposed by current state law and Amendment L.014. Representative Green discussed Amendment L.019.


BILL:	HB09-1176
TIME:	03:00:00 PM
MOVED:	Green
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.019 (Attachment D) to L.014 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Merrifield
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Fischer
	Frangas
	King S.
	Looper
	McNulty
	Merrifield
	Primavera
	Vaad
	Green
	McFadyen

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:02 PM

Representative Green discussed Amendment L.018 (Attachment F) to amend Amendment L.014 (Attachment E). Representative Green stated that L.018 would require driver education organizations to conduct criminal history background checks on instructors and restrict individuals convicted of a felony from serving as a driving education instructor.

03:07 PM

The committee recessed.

03:13 PM

The committee returned to order.

03:13 PM

Responding to questions from committee members, Mr. Jery Payne, Office of Legislative Legal Services, stated that Amendment L.018 is specific to individuals convicted of sexual offenses.

03:15 PM

Mr. David Porter, Legislative Council Staff, discussed the fiscal note and memorandum provided to the committee members. Responding to Representative Fischer, Mr. Porter discussed the bill's changes to state law as represented in the memorandum (Attachment G).

03:17 PM

The committee recessed.

03:21 PM

The committee returned to order.

03:21 PM

Mr. Payne responded to Representative Frangas' question regarding the memorandum (Attachment G). Representative Baumgardner asked Mr. Porter to provide a revised memorandum reflecting Mr. Payne's comments.


BILL:	HB09-1176
TIME:	03:23:00 PM
MOVED:	Green
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.018 (Attachment F) to amendment L.014 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	McFadyen
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Fischer
	Frangas
	King S.
	Looper
	McNulty
	Merrifield
	Primavera
	Vaad
	Green
	McFadyen

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1176
TIME:	03:24:00 PM
MOVED:	Green
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.014 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	McFadyen
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Fischer
	Frangas
	King S.
	Looper
	McNulty
	Merrifield
	Primavera
	Vaad
	Green
	McFadyen

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1176
TIME:	03:25:00 PM
MOVED:	Green
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1176, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Merrifield
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Fischer	Yes
	Frangas	Yes
	King S.	Excused
	Looper	Yes
	McNulty	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
	Primavera	Yes
	Vaad	Yes
	Green	Yes
	McFadyen	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:25 PM

The committee adjourned.