NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.



Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.





F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Martinez DATE TYPED: 03/04/01 HB 545
SHORT TITLE: Instructional Driving Permits SB
ANALYST: Rael


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02

See Narrative

Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD)

State Department of Education (SDE)

State Highway and Transportation Department (SHTD)



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



The Instructional Driving Permits bill would require teens under the age of 18 who wish to obtain a driving permit or provisional license to be enrolled in and attending school as well as being enrolled in a state-approved driver education course.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



See Administrative Implications.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS



The proposed bill will require MVD employees to verify school records and attendance. Depending on how the proposed statute is interpreted, MVD's administrative costs could be very high.



Any fiscal impact to the schools would depend on the documentation process required by MVD to verify enrollment.



This bill could have the effect of requiring private driving schools to obtain certification by the state. This in turn could have an administrative impact.



OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



1. The language of the bill presumes that all persons between the ages of 15 and 18 are students. The Compulsory School Attendance Act, Section 22-12-2, requires that persons attend school until the age of 18, but allows for exclusion from this provision for certain circumstances such as graduation, or employment or alternative education at age 16, with both parental and local district consent.

2. There is some question regarding how the MVD would verify school enrollment.



3. The proposal would require school attendance and enrollment only at the time of application for driver's licenses. Enrollment and attendance is not required after the permit or license is issued.



FAR/ar