Committee hears bill to fund driver's-licensing help for "opportunity youth," adopts authors' amendment and lays it over

Senate File 2197, a proposed "Drive-to-Thrive" pilot, drew testimony on Tuesday about licensing barriers that prevent opportunity youth from accessing stable work and housing. Sponsor Senator Johnson Stewart described the A7 amendment (adopted by the committee) that reduced the grant maximums, narrowed eligible uses and shifted funding/oversight provisions to the Department of Public Safety's Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) operating account with DPS oversight.

Erin Martin (policy and system transformation director, Youthprise) said the bill provides up to $800 per youth for up to 200 youth per site to cover classroom instruction, behind-the-wheel lessons, permit and license fees and, if needed, short-term rental of a vehicle for the driving test. Martin emphasized that the bill also creates a working group to study statewide availability and permanent funding mechanisms and that DPS could select an intermediary through an RFP to administer a high-touch pilot if DPS lacks capacity.

Young people and advocates described real barriers. Cheryl Edwards, an 18-year-old high-school senior, said she completed driver's education but faced document and logistical hurdles to finish licensing and obtain a job. Pete Hosmer, representing driving instructors, said private and community programs are insufficiently funded statewide.

Committee members questioned administration, overhead and the per-student cap. Senator Duszynski and others noted that administrative fees and agency set-asides reduce the dollar amount available for students; members asked whether DEED might be a better fiscal administrator and whether the dedicated DVS account had sufficient funds. Testifiers said cost estimates for classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction and fees informed the $800'$1,000 range and that rental-car costs could push some cases higher.

Outcome: The committee adopted the A7 amendment by voice vote and laid Senate File 2197, as amended, over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. Staff told members they would circulate a fiscal note when available.