The Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee heard Sen. G. Taylor’s SB 210 on driver’s license suspension, restriction, and reinstatement. This bill:
- Reduces the driver’s license reinstatement fee to $25 for a first suspension, $50 for a second suspension, and $100 for a third suspension.
- Establishes a temporary program to permit an individual required to pay a fee for reinstatement of driving privileges to satisfy the unpaid fees by paying $100.
- Permits the individual to regain driving privileges by paying the $100 driving privileges reinstatement fee to the BMV, providing proof of future financial responsibility, and not being otherwise ineligible for reinstatement.
- Establishes the insurance premium fund to help reduce insurance premium costs by up to 50% for an individual who has been granted a petition for reinstatement and whose annual household income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Provides that DOC shall assist a committed offender in obtaining driving privileges, reinstating driving privileges, applying for a waiver of reinstatement fees, and establishing proof of financial responsibility; so that the committed offender may be eligible for driving privileges when the offender is subsequently released on parole, assigned to a community transition program, or discharged from DOC.
- Specifies that the BMV may restrict, but not suspend, the driving privileges of a person who operates a motor vehicle without proof of financial responsibility.
- Specifies that a person whose driving privileges are restricted may only operate a motor vehicle while going to or returning from lawful employment, parenting time, medical appointments, and educational or vocational training.
- Makes operating a motor vehicle in violation of the terms of a restricted license a Class C misdemeanor.
- Provides that a person with restricted driving privileges is not required to pay a reinstatement fee for restoration of unrestricted driving privileges.
The bill was amended to urge the assignment of prospective reduction of reinstatement fees under Ind. Code 9-25-6-15 and the establishment of an insurance program to reduce automobile insurance costs. The amendment also requires the BMV to administer the amnesty program to reduce reinstatement fees for a suspension of driving privileges for failure to appear in court or failure to pay a judgment. The amendment also limits the timeframe of applicability and provides that the BMV shall reduce an individual’s liability to pay a reinstatement fee if the reinstatement fee or suspension of driving privileges for failure to appear in court or failure to pay a judgment was imposed before January 1, 2019, the individual files a petition with the bureau after June 30, 2019, and before October 1, 2019 and the BMV determines that the individual has proof of future financial responsibility. No testimony was heard on this bill. The bill passed 14-0.
Read the bill at: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/senate/210