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Aggressive-driving bill fails after floor debate over mandatory penalties and judges' discretion
Summary
A bill to raise minimum fines and create mandatory penalties for 'aggressive driving' drew extended floor debate over judicial discretion, rural access to defensive driving courses and appropriate penalties; an amendment making course requirements discretionary passed, but the bill failed on final passage, 35–37.
House debate over House Bill 22, a proposal to increase penalties for aggressive or 'road rage' driving, produced sustained discussion about whether the measure duplicated existing law and whether mandatory minimums would unduly restrict judges' discretion.
Representative Bush, the bill sponsor, told the House the proposal was aimed at deterrence: raising the minimum fine for a first conviction to $200 (and $300 for a second) or short jail terms, and allowing courts to order completion of a defensive-driving course. "I think hitting people in the pocketbook is a good way to make them realize these things," Bush said in floor remarks explaining the penalty increases.
Opponents and questioners pressed practical concerns. Representative Cox asked how the bill would affect rural residents where defensive-driving courses are less accessible; Representative Hatch argued the measure created minimum mandates that tie judges' hands and duplicate sentencing options judges already exercise. Representative Hansen offered an amendment to reduce the proposed fines (to $100 and $150); the amendment failed. Representative Hendrickson successfully moved to change in-line mandatory language from "shall" to "may," making court-ordered courses discretionary.
After division and a late-session vote, House Bill 22 failed final passage, receiving 35 yes votes and 37 no votes, and the measure was filed. Sponsors said the effort highlights concerns over highway safety; opponents said existing statutes and judicial practice already provide tools to address reckless or aggressive driving.
