Resolve, to Convene a Driver Education Working Group to Evaluate Hardships to Underserved Populations and Low-income Families
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1200
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: ROBERTS, CURRY, CLOUTIER, FAY, MEYER, PLUECKER, ROEDER, STOVER, WHITE

Legislative Document
No. 1200
H.P. 760
House of Representatives, March 14, 2023
Resolve, to Convene a Driver Education Working Group to 
Evaluate Hardships to Underserved Populations and Low-income 
Families
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative ROBERTS of South Berwick.
Cosponsored by Senator CURRY of Waldo and
Representatives: CLOUTIER of Lewiston, FAY of Raymond, LaROCHELLE of Augusta, 
MEYER of Eliot, PLUECKER of Warren, ROEDER of Bangor, STOVER of Boothbay, 
WHITE of Waterville.
Preamble.  Whereas, for persons who have not attained 20 years of age, taking a 
driver education course and achieving the required number of driving hours is necessary in 
order to obtain a driver's license; and
Whereas, the cost of taking a driver education course is a financial hardship for many 
families; and
Whereas, families living in rural areas have a more difficult time gaining access to 
driver education courses; and
Whereas, youth and families also face many other obstacles when trying to comply 
with the legal requirements to obtain a driver's license; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1.  Working group.  Resolved:  That 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.  Resolved:  That, 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 Deputy Secretary of State having oversight over the Bureau of Motor Vehicles 
or the deputy secretary's designee; and
10. The Secretary of State or the secretary's designee.  
Sec. 3.  Compensation.  Resolved:  That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, members 
of the working group may not be compensated for their work on the working group, but 
legislative members may receive the legislative per diem.  
Sec. 4.  Duties.  Resolved:  That 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.  Resolved:  That, 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.  Resolved:  That, no later than December 6, 2023, the working 
group shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations for presentation 
to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation.  The Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation is authorized to submit legislation related to the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 131st Legislature.  
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles 
to convene a 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 on Transportation, which is authorized to 
submit legislation related to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 131st 
Legislature.