Brief⁽¹⁾

H.B. 2317, as amended, requires first-time driver's license applicants under the age of 18, applicants for a restricted driver's license under the age of 16, or applicants for a farm permit before reaching 16 years of age to submit a signed affidavit of a parent or guardian stating that the applicant has completed at least 50 hours of adult supervised driving with at least ten of those hours being at night. Adults responsible for supervising the 50-hour actual driving experience of the applicant must be at least 21 years of age and hold a valid Class A, B, C, or commercial driver's license.

Evidence of failure of such licensees to complete the 50 hours of adult supervised driving will not be admissible for determining any aspect of comparative negligence or mitigation of damages.

Other changes applicable to a holder of a farm permit or a restricted licensee would:

• �prohibit such licensees convicted of two or more traffic violations committed on separate occasions from receiving an unrestricted driver's license until they reach 17 years of age; and

• �make it a moving violation for such licensees to operate a motor vehicle with nonsibling passengers.

Finally, the bill would suspend driving privileges of any person under 21 years of age for a year, or for the term of a diversion agreement, for failing a test, or for having an alcohol or drug-related conviction.

Background

H.B. 2317, as introduced, was the product of a House Transportation subcommittee. Conferees who testified in support of the bill, as introduced, included representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board, the American Automobile Association, and a private citizen. The spokesperson for Kansas Farm Bureau testified in general support of the bill. Three high school students from Derby and one from Topeka addressed various aspects of underage driver's licensing issues. Also appearing with the Derby students was a parent from that city.

The House Committee amendments, where applicable, apply similar requirements to unrestricted, restricted, and farm permit licensees.

No fiscal note was available at the time the House amendments were made.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html