Tennessee Senate Bill SB1713

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55, Chapter 50, relative to driver licenses.

Impact

By implementing this amendment, the bill targets vehicles utilized for transporting groups, particularly school buses, which are defined under the new language as vehicles designed to transport sixteen or more passengers. This implies that stricter regulations and licensing requirements will apply to a broader range of vehicles, aimed at enhancing safety standards in transportation for children. The intended effect is to ensure that operators of these larger vehicles meet specific licensing criteria, likely resulting in higher safety measures for school transport services.

Summary

Senate Bill 1713 proposes amendments to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically to Title 55, Chapter 50, which governs driver licenses. The bill aims to redefine the classification of vehicles in relation to driver licenses by changing the threshold for vehicle capacity from 'more than fifteen passengers' to 'sixteen or more passengers.' This change will impact the requirements for licensing and regulation pertaining to larger passenger vehicles, particularly those used for school-related transport.

Contention

While the bill may be oriented towards strengthening safety laws, it could face scrutiny regarding its potential implications for transportation providers. The previous definition might have allowed some flexibility for smaller vehicles that transported children. The new language may impose additional licensing challenges for service providers operating vehicles that were not previously classified as school buses. Stakeholders, particularly those in the transportation industry, might express concerns that such changes could create barriers to entry or increase their operational costs.