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Debate over driver-license reporting bill exposes concerns about anonymity and remedies; Senate circles SB14 for redrafting
Summary
Senators engaged in an extended debate over Senate Bill 14, which would create a reporting and anonymity mechanism for certain driving-ability reports. Sponsors and opponents clashed over immunity and whether judges should be empowered to award fees for frivolous reports; senators voted to circle the bill to allow sponsors to rewrite the amendment language.
A contentious floor debate over Senate Bill 14 continued Jan. 22, as senators wrestled with an amendment that would preserve anonymous reporting protections while allowing judicial-award authority against frivolous or malicious reporters.
Senator Bramble, who said he previously voted against the bill, offered an amendment to provide judges a clear statutory route to award fees and costs when a report is found to be frivolous, malicious or without merit. "If the action is found to be improper, frivolous, malicious, or without merit, the judge may award fees and costs," Bramble said, explaining the amendment aims to balance anonymity and accountability.
Senator Jenkins cautioned the amendment could chill legitimate reports: "...I worry that the amendment is gonna reverse what you're actually trying to do here. It's gonna make it so nobody will want to report...because of fear that they themselves might, in fact, be litigated." Sponsors and legal advisers debated whether the remedy would require a separate civil action or could be handled on administrative appeal; several senators suggested the language does not clearly establish the mechanical pathway to recover fees.
Senator Halyard and others argued that to ensure victims of malicious reports have recourse, the statute should explicitly provide a separate cause of action or administrative-award mechanism, not just rely on an appeal to district court. After extended floor discussion and concern about the amendment's mechanics and potential chilling effect on reporting, senators voted to circle SB14 so sponsors can draft clearer language.
Status: SB14 was circled on the Senate floor to allow sponsors to rework the amendment language and to clarify whether a separate cause of action, administrative remedy or appeal process would trigger attorney-fee awards. The Senate will revisit the bill after sponsors provide revised language.
