Panel backs SB 266 to lengthen suspensions, add education for youth operator violations

Senate Bill 266, introduced to address risky driving by young operators, was presented to the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee and recommended by the panel for passage after law-enforcement testimony and member discussion.

Grant Bosse introduced SB 266 on behalf of Senator Mark McConkie, describing an effort to curb reckless driving by inexperienced drivers. The bill raises the maximum length of suspension for youth-operator license violations and requires an in-person driver-attitude program for drivers with multiple offenses.

Lieutenant Chris Storm of the Division of State Police testified in support, saying the current suspension lengths—20, 45 and 60 days—have not produced sufficient behavior change. "We can't just always suspend people's licenses or create fines, but we have to educate the groups and we have to educate those folks," he told the committee, describing the bill’s compromise adding mandatory education after repeated offenses.

Representative Prue, who moved the committee recommendation in executive session, described the updated penalties during debate: first offense increased (examples discussed included moving from 20 to 40 days), second offense increases (discussed to 45 to 90 days), and a third offense would trigger a mandatory in-person program and a longer suspension (for example a minimum suspension of 90 days with a possible credit for completing the class). The bill allows a reduction in suspension if a young driver completes the required in-person program.

Committee members emphasized the value of adding educational requirements alongside suspensions and asked staff to track data on outcomes if the law changes are adopted. In executive session the committee voted unanimously to report SB 266 out of committee (15–0). The bill will proceed toward floor action with the committee’s education-focused compromise intact.