Senate advances bill to raise driver-record fee and create restricted driver's license account

The Utah Senate debated and passed Senate Bill 51 on Feb. 5, 1996, a measure that would raise the administrative fee for producing a driver's record from $3 to $4 and create a restricted account within the state transportation fund for the Division of Driver Licensing.

Senator David Steele, presenting the bill, said the additional dollar is intended to help the division become self-supporting and to stop the practice of subsidizing driver licensing from other transportation funds. He explained the administrative fee applies when a person requests a duplicate or specific driving record and that the proposal establishes a restricted account to cover operating costs of the driver-license program.

Several senators sought fiscal clarity. Senator Hilliard and others noted the department’s total budget is about $11.3 million; Steele said the fee increase is estimated to raise about $900,000 in new revenue overall while the line-item increase from $3 to $4 for routine requests would raise roughly $9,700 in a specific line (Steele named both figures while noting the broader estimated revenue impact). Senators also asked which legislative committees review restricted accounts; Senator Holmgren and others confirmed oversight exists but emphasized the need to monitor transfers previously supported by general-fund monies.

Opponents and questioners argued that fees paid indirectly by insurers or other entities ultimately flow back to consumers. Senator Black and others said restricted accounts can obscure prior general-fund support and stressed legislative review of the consolidated funds.

After discussion, the Senate called the question and approved SB 51 on roll call, 25 ayes, 2 nays, and 2 absent; the bill was placed at the bottom of the third-reading calendar for further consideration.