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Senate advances substitute bill on graduated driver licensing to House
Summary
The Senate advanced substitute SB 12, a graduated driver licensing measure developed by a public‑safety task force, amid floor debate about differences with a related House bill. The Senate passed SB 12 and will transmit it to the House.
The Utah State Senate voted to advance Substitute Senate Bill 12, a graduated driver‑licensing measure that its sponsor said emerged from a public safety task force and is intended to reduce teen crashes.
Senator Howell, sponsor of the Senate bill, told colleagues that a teen rally and the public‑safety task force supported the bill’s approach. Senators compared SB 12 with a House measure by Representative Bush and debated specific provisions: SB 12 includes passenger and nighttime restrictions and seatbelt requirements, while representatives said the House bill differs on the duration of nighttime restrictions and other specifics.
Senator Steele said he had expected the two bills to be more closely aligned and worried that taking final action without a side‑by‑side comparison could be counterproductive; Senator Montgomery noted that if both bodies pass different bills the usual correlation procedures or conference committee could resolve conflicts.
After floor discussion and a roll call, the clerk announced SB 12 passed the Senate and will be sent to the House for consideration (the record shows an aye majority reported to the clerk). Senators said the bill provides tools to address teen driver safety but acknowledged there are alternative approaches.
SB 12 will next be processed by the House; senators who spoke recommended further comparison across chambers during the committee and conference processes to reconcile differences if both bills pass.
