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Minutes for SB2 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Authorizing certain individuals with revoked driver’s licenses to be eligible for restricted driving privileges.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 24, 2023
The Chair opened the hearing on SB2 - Authorizing certain individuals with revoked driver's licenses to be eligible for restricted driving privileges.
Assistant Revisor Adam Siebers briefed the Committee on the bill (Attachment 1). He explained that the bill addresses an individual who has a revoked driver's license as a result of driving a motor vehicle when the individual's license was canceled, suspended or revoked for failure to comply with a traffic citation; such a person may apply for restricted driving privileges.
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn, Political Action Chair, NAACP, testified in support of the bill (Attachment 2). Noting that 71% of new suspensions were due to unpaid tickets and other fines, she said the bill provides an effective solution to reduce suspensions and reverse hardships; it will be a beneficial option because it focuses on helping drivers rather than penalizing them, and it will allow residents to keep their jobs and/or attend school.
Senator Faust-Goudeau, Assistant Minority Leader, spoke as a proponent for the bill (Attachment 3). She commented that this bill provides a follow-up to a previous bill that allowed individuals with a suspended license to attend school, work, or church; this proposed bill will close a loophole that prohibits a person with a revoked license from obtaining a restricted license. Responding to a question,she replied even if a person pays all fees, he/she must still wait a year or more before applying for a restricted license.
Via Web-ex Faith Martin, Citizen, Wichita, Kansas, speaking as a proponent, stated that enactment of the bill would allow approximately 3300 drivers to be eligible for a restricted license and enable them to get to work or school (Attachment 4). She acknowledged that serious criminal charges provide a valid reason for revoking a driver's license, but failure to pay fines should not be included with those offenses.
Marilyn Harp, J.D., Citizen Lobbyist, testified in favor of the bill. She noted that the bill will allow individuals who are driving on a revoked driver's license to apply for the restricted driving program currently available to those on a suspended license (Attachment 5). Ms. Harp commented that those arrested for a DUI are given the option to operate a motor vehicle by using an interlock system, but those with a revoked license for not paying a fine do not have that option. She suggested adding a reference in the bill to those who fail to carry insurance on their car. Responding to a question, she replied that currently only 3300 individuals have revoked driver's licenses as contrasted to 187,000 with suspended licenses.
Jonathan Lueth, Deputy State Director, Americans for Prosperity-Kansas, speaking as a proponent, said the bill is a good step in creating a pathway for individuals with a suspended license to maintain their jobs (Attachment 6). He cited a 2007 study that showed 42% of those with suspended licenses lost their jobs.
Sheila Officer, Chair, Racial Profiling Advisory Board, spoke in support of the bill (Attachment 7). She stated that revoking a driver's license should be used to keep unsafe drivers off the road but not be used as a debt-collection tool that is punitive. She said the bill will assist in providing financial relief for drivers, and she posed four questions to show that the bill will remove a barrier for drivers with revoked licenses.
The Chair referenced the following written-only proponents for the bill:
- Twila Puritty, Citizen, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 8)
- Eric Stafford, Vice President for Government Affairs, Kansas Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 9)
- Kevin Walker, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, Overland Park Chamber (Attachment 10)
- Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, Kansas Association of Policy Officers, Kansas Sheriffs Association, Kansas Peace Officers Association (Attachment 11)
- Mike Fonkert, Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 12)
- Peter Ninemire, Owner Director, The Caring Center of Wichita LLC (Attachment 13)
- Greg Nickel, Citizen, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 14)
- Dr. Timothy L. Sims, Pastor, Kingdom Community Church, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 15)
- Aileen Berquist, Policy Director, ACLU-Kansas (Attachment 16
- Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 17)
- Jim Howell, Sedgwick County Commissioner, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 18)
The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2023.
