Committee asks whether DMV or courts decide age-related license suspensions in bill language

Committee members raised questions about section 2 of the miscellaneous Judiciary bill on page 937, which addresses underrepresentation of age and includes language about suspending a person’s license. A committee member said the Department of Motor Vehicles indicated that questions about whether a person lacked a travel license because of age or absence of a license would be decided by the DMV rather than by the Judiciary.

Staff told the committee that “ultimately it would be the Department of Motor Vehicles that would decide that question. It's not something that the Judiciary necessarily provides in some of those situations,” and recommended staff follow up with the DMV and the commissioner to confirm details. The committee asked staff to reach out to the DMV and report back with the agency’s position.

Members emphasized caution about changing statutory language that could affect how courts interpret licensing issues and asked for any clarifying information the DMV could provide before drafting final language. No formal motion or vote was taken; staff will seek the DMV’s input and return with a report.