An Act to Reconvene a Driver Education Working Group to Evaluate Hardships to Underserved Populations and Low-income Families
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 2281

Legislative Document
No. 2281
H.P. 1467
House of Representatives, March 26, 2024
An Act to Reconvene a Driver Education Working Group to 
Evaluate Hardships to Underserved Populations and Low-income 
Families
(EMERGENCY)
Reported by Representative CRAFTS of Newcastle for the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 94, section 6.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Emergency preamble.  Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Resolve 2023, chapter 94 established a working group to study the issue of 
access to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families; and
Whereas, due to the adjournment date of the First Special Session of the 131st 
Legislature, the working group had insufficient time to complete its duties; and
Whereas, it is imperative that the working group established by this legislation have 
ample time to complete its duties; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Working group. The Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor 
Vehicles shall convene a working group to study potential solutions regarding the cost of 
and access to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families.
Sec. 2. Working group membership. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the 
working group membership is as follows:
1. One member of the Senate who serves on the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation, appointed by the President of the Senate;
2. One member of the House of Representatives who serves on the Joint Standing 
Committee on Transportation, appointed by the Speaker of the House;
3. One member representing the driver education school industry, appointed by the 
Secretary of State;
4. One member representing a State Police traffic division, appointed by the Chief of 
the State Police;
5. One or more members representing affected groups, including, but not limited to, 
low-income families, immigrant or refugee communities, tribal communities and foster 
children, appointed by the Secretary of State; 
6. An employee of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles who is responsible for the oversight 
of driver education, appointed by the Secretary of State;
7. The Commissioner of Education or the commissioner's designee;
8. The Commissioner of Health and Human Services or the commissioner's designee;
9. The Commissioner of Labor or the commissioner's designee;
10. The Deputy Secretary of State having oversight over the Bureau of Motor Vehicles 
or the deputy secretary's designee;
11. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee; and
12. One member representing the Bureau of Highway Safety, appointed by the 
Commissioner of Public Safety.
To the greatest extent practicable, the appointing authorities shall reappoint the persons 
they appointed to the working group established pursuant to Resolve 2023, chapter 94.
A legislative member who is not reelected may continue to serve on the working group 
for the duration of the working group.  If a member elects not to continue serving on the 
working group, a person must be appointed to the working group in the same manner as 
the vacating member was appointed.
Sec. 3. Compensation. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 3, section 
or any provision of law to the contrary, members of the working group may not be 
compensated for their work on the working group.
Sec. 4. Duties. The working group shall:
1.  Identify and document the current status of the availability of the State's driver 
education program;
2.  Examine and identify potential methods of providing driver education at a lower 
cost for underserved populations and low-income families;
3.  Identify possible funding mechanisms to pay for part or all of driver education for 
low-income families; and
4.  Make recommendations based on the findings of the working group.
Sec. 5. Staff assistance. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Department of the 
Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles shall provide necessary staffing services to 
the working group, and Legislative Council staff support is not authorized.
Sec. 6. Report. Notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, no later than February 3, 2025, the 
working group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations for 
presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
transportation matters.  The committee is authorized to submit legislation related to the 
report to the 132nd Legislature in 2025.
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation 
takes effect when approved.
SUMMARY
This bill directs the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles to 
reconvene the working group to study potential solutions regarding the cost of and access 
to driver education for underserved populations and low-income families. The working 
group is required to submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations for 
presentation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
transportation matters, which is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the 
132nd Legislature in 2025.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)
Revised: 03/19/24
LD  2281     
LR 3126(01)
Fiscal Detail and Notes
Additional costs to the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of 
Labor, the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Secretary of State associated with having a 
representative serve on a working group can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. Additional costs to the 
Department of Secretary of State associated with providing staffing to the working group can also be absorbed within 
existing budgeted resources.
Fiscal Note
Minor cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Note Required: Yes
An Act to Reconvene a Driver Education Working Group to Evaluate Hardships to Underserved 
Populations and Low-income Families
Fiscal Note for Original Bill
Committee: Transportation
LR3126(01) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1