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Committee advances clarification bill for driver’s education programs
Summary
House Bill 99, a technical cleanup to an existing driver’s-education law, cleared the Idaho House Transportation Committee with a do-pass recommendation after sponsors said the changes address implementation confusion and broaden approved instruction options.
The House Transportation Committee voted to send House Bill 99 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Representative Ron Mendyff, the sponsor, described the bill as a cleanup to clarify how students can complete required online or classroom portions of a driver’s-education program and said the State Department of Education has reviewed and supports the changes.
Mendyff said the law is working and provided participation figures: 155 students have completed the program and 808 students are in the process of completing it. He said current per-student funding to districts that provide driver’s education is $150 and that districts have requested an increase to $300 per student during budget discussions, though that funding enhancement is separate from the cleanup bill.
Representative Shepherd moved the do-pass recommendation; the motion carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: The bill clarifies program text and authorizes the State Department of Education to maintain a list of qualifying entities that can provide instruction. Lawmakers and the department said clearer language will reduce confusion about implementation and expand options for students to complete required coursework.
The bill will proceed to the House floor.
