Senate Transportation walks through miscellaneous DMV bill, holds several sections for revision

The Senate Transportation committee convened to walk through a draft miscellaneous Department of Motor Vehicles bill and agreed to hold or refine multiple sections after detailed discussion with legislative counsel and agency staff.

“For the record, I’m Damien Leonard from the Office of Legislative Council,” Leonard told the committee as he presented draft 1.1, a strike‑all amendment that recasts numerous DMV statutes and administrative procedures. The chair opened by saying the goal was to finish the walkthrough and, if possible, have the bill ready by next Friday to allow the committee to focus on other business.

Key provisions discussed included an administrative clarification allowing an individual to hold both a non‑driver ID and an operator’s license at the same time; an expanded ‘insufficient funds’ provision to cover electronic funds transfers and credit/debit transactions; tightened plate‑appearance language to prohibit coloring, tinting or covers that change the plate’s color or create glare; and a set of changes to salvage‑title processes to allow electronic signatures and remove notarization requirements.

On financial enforcement, members pressed DMV staff on process and timing. The draft gives the commissioner authority to suspend a license or registration when a required payment…