Driving for Opportunity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-998
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2021-03-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Economic performance and conditions
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Licensing and registrations
Motor vehicles
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
Unemployment
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: 

Driving for Opportunity Act of 202

1

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver's license of an individual based on such individual's failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee. 
 
Grants shall be awarded to (1) cover the costs incurred by a state to reinstate driver's licenses previously suspended for unpaid fines and fees; (2) maximize the number of individuals with suspended driver's licenses eligible to have driving privileges reinstated or regained; (3) provide assistance to individuals living in areas where public transportation options are limited; and (4) ease the burden on states where the state or local law that permitted the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, driver's licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees was in effect during the three year period ending on the date on which a state applies for or receives a grant under this bill.
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the implementation of the grant program authorized by this bill, including the known effects of repealing state laws that have permitted the suspension, revocation, or refusal of a driver's license or motor vehicle registration based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.

action_date: 2022-02-03
text: 

Driving for Opportunity Act of 202

1

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to make grants to states that do not suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driver's license of an individual based on such individual's failure to pay a civil or criminal fine or fee.
 
Grants shall be awarded to (1) cover the costs incurred by a state to reinstate driver's licenses previously suspended for unpaid fines and fees; (2) maximize the number of individuals with suspended driver's licenses eligible to have driving privileges reinstated or regained; (3) provide assistance to individuals living in areas where public transportation options are limited; and (4) ease the burden on states where the state or local law that permitted the suspension or revocation of, or refusal to renew, driver's licenses or the registration of a motor vehicle based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees was in effect during the three year period ending on the date on which a state applies for or receives a grant under this bill.
 
The Government Accountability Office must study the implementation of the grant program authorized by this bill, including the known effects of repealing state laws that have permitted the suspension, revocation, or refusal of a driver's license or motor vehicle registration based on the failure to pay civil or criminal fines or fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 260.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-10-28
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-25
text: Introduced in Senate