Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 130 First Substitute (2022GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Bennion, G.

Final action

House/ filed 3/4/2022

Outcome

Failed / filed without passage

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• allows the Driver License Division to begin administering certain examinations in languages other than English;
• allows an individual to take certain driver license examinations in their native language, based on availability, for their initial application and first renewal application for a driver license;
• allows a translator for certain driver license examinations in certain circumstances;
• requires a report from the Driver License Division to the Transportation Interim Committee; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

DRIVER LICENSE TEST AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Gay Lynn Bennion
Senate Sponsor: 
Karen Mayne
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill requires the Driver License Division to begin administering certain
examinations in languages other than English.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ allows the Driver License Division to begin administering certain examinations in
languages other than English;
▸ allows an individual to take certain driver license examinations in their native
language, based on availability, for their initial application and first renewal
application for a driver license;
▸ allows a translator for certain driver license examinations in certain circumstances;
▸ requires a report from the Driver License Division to the Transportation Interim
Committee; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
53-3-206
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2018, Chapter 128
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
53-3-206
 is amended to read:
53-3-206.
Examination of applicant's physical and mental fitness to drive a motor
vehicle.
(1) The division shall examine every applicant for a license, including a test of the
applicant's:
(a) eyesight either:
(i) by the division; or
(ii) by allowing the applicant to furnish to the division a statement from a physician
licensed under Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or an optometrist licensed
under Title 58, Chapter 16a, Utah Optometry Practice Act;
(b) ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
traffic;
(c) ability to read and understand simple English used in highway traffic and
directional signs;
(d) knowledge of the state traffic laws;
(e) other physical and mental abilities the division finds necessary to determine the
applicant's fitness to drive a motor vehicle safely on the highways; and
(f) ability to exercise ordinary and responsible control driving a motor vehicle, as
determined by actual demonstration or other indicator.
(2) (a) [
Notwithstanding
] 
Subject to Subsection (2)(d), and notwithstanding
 the
provisions of Subsection (1) or any other provision of law, the division shall allow [
a refugee
or an approved asylee
] 
an individual
 to take an examination of the person's knowledge of the
state traffic laws in the person's native language
, or with a translator as described in Subsection
(2)(d)(ii)
:
(i) the first time the person applies for a limited-term license certificate; and
(ii) the first time the person applies for a renewal of a limited-term license certificate.
(b) Upon the second renewal of [
a refugee's or approved asylee's
] 
an individual's
limited-term license certificate for [
a refugee or approved asylee
] 
an individual
 that has taken
the knowledge exam in the person's native language under Subsection (2)(a), the division shall
re-examine the person's knowledge of the state traffic laws in English.
(c) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
division shall make rules establishing the procedures and requirements for [
a refugee or an
approved asylee
] 
an individual
 to take an examination of the person's knowledge of the state
traffic laws in the person's native language 
or with the assistance of a translator
.
(d) (i) Beginning on July 1, 2022, the division shall administer the written knowledge
examination in as many languages as reasonably possible given budgetary and other
constraints.
(ii) If the division is unable to administer the written knowledge examination in a
particular language, an individual may take an examination with the assistance of a translator
approved by the division.
(iii) If an individual takes the examination with the assistance of a translator, the
individual is responsible for the costs of the translator.
(e) In order to provide the services described in Subsection (2)(d)(i), the division may
contract with a private vendor to provide the translation services or technology.
(3) The division shall determine whether any facts exist that would bar granting a
license under Section 
53-3-204
.
(4) The division shall examine each applicant according to the class of license applied
for.
(5) An applicant for a CDL shall meet all additional requirements of Part 4, Uniform
Commercial Driver License Act, of this chapter.
(6) The division shall provide a report to the Transportation Interim Committee on or
before October 1, 2022, regarding the written knowledge examination in languages other than
English, including:
(a) costs associated with the program;
(b) the number of languages provided;
(c) the likelihood of adding additional languages in the future; and
(d) other information the division finds relevant.