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House debates teen driving bill; lawmakers amend nighttime restriction and circle broader language
Summary
HB 10 would require 30 hours of supervised driving before licensure and restrict nighttime driving for teens; floor debate led to an amendment changing the restricted start from 11 p.m. to midnight and to a substitute motion to circle the bill for more language work on religious/school exemptions and enforcement concerns.
Representative Don E. Bush presented HB 10 to require supervised driving experience (30 hours before a provisional license at 15 years, 9 months and full license at 16) and to restrict teen nighttime driving. "What I'm trying to do here is make it so at the age of 15 years and 9 months a practice driving permit is obtained wherein the parents can see that their youth have 30 hours of driving time with an experienced driver with them," Bush said.
Members probed enforceability, exemptions and technical language. Representative Carlson raised concerns that religious- or school-sponsored activities could be used as loopholes and asked whether the phrase "religious activity" was too broad; Representative Rowland moved to change the start of the restricted hours from 11:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., which the House adopted by voice vote. Lawmakers also debated seat-belt/vehicle-standard language and who qualifies to sign the application (parent, guardian or responsible adult).
After extended floor discussion and exchanges on enforcement discretion and exemptions, members moved to circle HB 10 to allow language refinement; sponsors indicated willingness to work on precise exemptions and enforcement language before resubmission. No final passage occurred in this session segment.
