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Committee weighs broader DMV outreach instead of mandatory license checkoff to recruit volunteer drivers
Summary
Lawmakers debated language in the H.488 draft that would direct the DMV to explore a driver-license application checkoff to let residents opt in to be contacted about volunteer driving; staff recommended broader outreach options instead of a mandatory checkoff.
Committee staff described two draft approaches for increasing volunteer and community driver recruitment for transit and Medicaid non-emergency transportation: (1) a statutory checkoff on the driver's license application to let an individual consent to share contact information with transit agencies, and (2) broader outreach options developed by the Agency of Transportation (AOT) in consultation with Vermont Public Transportation Association (VPTA).
Staff said the agency proposal would direct the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in consultation with public transit agencies, to identify and pursue opportunities to communicate with drivers via the driver license process, motor-vehicle registration notices, DMV website messaging, AOT social media or a combination of those channels. Committee members noted that annual registrations reach a large audience (one member cited roughly 800,000 vehicles), and that either a checkoff or a registration notice could be used to publicize volunteer opportunities.
Committee members asked if the broader language from agency staff would work in place of the prescriptive checkoff; the chair observed that the broader language “makes more sense” and suggested committee counsel incorporate it into the next draft for consideration. No formal vote or adoption of language occurred during this meeting.
