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131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
SECOND REGULAR SESSION-2024
Legislative Document No. 2281H.P. 1467House of Representatives, March 26, 2024
An Act to Reconvene a Driver Education Working Group to
Evaluate Hardships to Underserved Populations and Low-income
Families
(EMERGENCY)
Reported by Representative CRAFTS of Newcastle for the Joint Standing Committee on
Transportation pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 94, section 6.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk Page 1 - 131LR3126(01)1 acts and resolves of the Legislature do not
2 become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
3 Resolve 2023, chapter 94 established a working group to study the issue of
4 access to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families; and
5 due to the adjournment date of the First Special Session of the 131st
6 Legislature, the working group had insufficient time to complete its duties; and
7 it is imperative that the working group established by this legislation have
8 ample time to complete its duties; and
9 in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within
10 the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as
11 immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now,
12 therefore,
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14 The Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor
15 Vehicles shall convene a working group to study potential solutions regarding the cost of
16 and access to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families.
17 Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the
18 working group membership is as follows:
19 1. One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on
20 Transportation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
21 2. One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing
22 Committee on Transportation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
23 3. One member representing the driver education school industry, appointed by the
24 Secretary of State;
25 4. One member representing a State Police traffic division, appointed by the Chief of
26 the State Police;
27 5. One or more members representing affected groups, including, but not limited to,
28 low-income families, immigrant or refugee communities, tribal communities and foster
29 children, appointed by the Secretary of State;
30 6. An employee of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles who is responsible for the oversight
31 of driver education, appointed by the Secretary of State;
32 7. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;
33 8. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
34 9. The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee;
35 10. The Deputy Secretary of State having oversight over the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
36 or the deputy secretary's designee;
37 11. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee; and
38 12. One member representing the Bureau of Highway Safety, appointed by the
39 Commissioner of Public Safety. Page 2 - 131LR3126(01)
1 To the greatest extent practicable, the appointing authorities shall reappoint the persons
2 they appointed to the working group established pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 94.
3 A legislative member who is not reelected may continue to serve on the working group
4 for the duration of the working group. If a member elects not to continue serving on the
5 working group, a person must be appointed to the working group in the same manner as
6 the vacating member was appointed.
7 Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section
8 2 or any provision of law to the contrary, members of the working group may not be
9 compensated for their work on the working group.
10 Duties. The working group shall:
11 1. Identify and document the current status of the availability of the State's driver
12 education program;
13 2. Examine and identify potential methods of providing driver education at a lower
14 cost for underserved populations and low-income families;
15 3. Identify possible funding mechanisms to pay for part or all of driver education for
16 low-income families; and
17 4. Make recommendations based on the findings of the working group.
18 Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Department of the
19 Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall provide necessary staffing services to
20 the working group, and Legislative Council staff support is not authorized.
21 Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than February 3, 2025, the
22 working group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations for
23 presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
24 transportation matters. The committee is authorized to submit legislation related to the
25 report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
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27 takes effect when approved.
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29 This bill directs the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles to
30 reconvene the working group to study potential solutions regarding the cost of and access
31 to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families. The working
32 group is required to submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations for
33 presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over
34 transportation matters, which is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the
35 132nd Legislature in 2025.
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3637 Revised: 03/19/24
LD 2281 LR 3126(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Additional costs to the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of
Labor, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Secretary of State associated with having a
representative serve on a working group can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the
Department of Secretary of State associated with providing staffing to the working group can also be absorbed within
existing budgeted resources.
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
131st MAINE LEGISLATURE
An Act to Reconvene a Driver Education Working Group to Evaluate Hardships to Underserved
Populations and Low-income Families
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Transportation
LR3126(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1