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Seat Belt Bill Falters; Teen License Nears: Senate Endorses Graduated Driver's License.

Posted on: Thursday, 16 March 2006, 18:00 CST

By Bill Bartleman, The Paducah Sun, Ky.

Mar. 16--FRANKFORT, Ky. -- While legislation to create a six-month interim driver's license for teenage drivers appears on the verge of final approval, measures toughening Kentucky's seat belt law and raising the speed limit on highways are floundering.

There are seven days left in the bill-passing portion of the session, with two of those reserved for negotiating agreements over differences in House and Senate versions of legislation.

Graduated driver's license

The Senate's 35-0 passage of the graduated driver's license bill on Wednesday represents a major victory for Rep. Tom Burch, D-Louisville, who has worked for passage of the legislation since his granddaughter was killed in an automobile accident five years ago.

"You never really get over a loss like that," Burch said. "I wouldn't want anyone to go through an experience like that." He said her inexperience as a driver was a major factor in her wreck.

House Bill 90, approved 89-3 in the House last month, is expected to reduce traffic fatalities by at least 50 a year, Burch said.

Drivers under 18 would be required to have a learner's permit for 180-day period during which they would have to complete 60 hours of supervised driving.

If they had no moving violations, they would receive an intermediate license for another 180 days. They could not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. except under limited circumstances, and couldn't have more than two passengers under 18 who are not related to them.

After that period, they would "graduate" to a regular license.

The Senate add three amendments that Burch said make technical corrections and clarify that the first intermediate licenses would be issued in April.

"They are all friendly amendments and there won't be any problem approving them in the House," Burch said. Once they are approved, the bill will be sent to the governor, who supports the measure.

Seat belts

Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who has made passage of a primary seat belt law a major goal for the session, sent a letter to House Speaker Jody Richards late Wednesday urging him to schedule an immediate House vote on House Bill 68, the seat belt legislation.

Fletcher assured Richards that at least 15 Republicans would vote for the measure, which along with the support of about 40 Democrats would be more than enough to pass it.

Richards, however, said he won't call the bill unless at least 20 Republicans agree to vote for it. When HB 68 was considered last month, only 10 of the 45 Republicans voted "yes." The 49-48 vote was two short of the 51 needed for passage.

Richards said he wants the higher number of Republicans to ensure that it passes this time. He doesn't want to force Democrats to vote for the bill again unless it will pass.

Fletcher, however, said that by demanding the 20 GOP votes, Richards is politicizing the issue.

"The only thing standing in the way of passage of this bill, and the prevention of more than 60 (traffic) deaths (annually), is your decision not to call the bill back up for a vote," Fletcher said in the letter.

Fletcher met in private with House Republicans on Wednesday seeking additional support, but didn't appear to change any votes, said Rep. Jeff Hoover, the Republican leader. Hoover confirmed that at least 15 Republicans will vote for the bill if it is reconsidered.

Fletcher noted that in 2002, the House passed the same bill 51-47 with the support of only six Republicans. The bill then died in the Senate.

Speed limit

Key House leaders want to specify which state roads would have higher speed limits, but haven't been able to reach a compromise with supporters of Senate Bill 103, says House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins.

"Some highways just are safe for the higher limits," Adkins said. "We just can't come to an agreement on those." He did not identify the highways.

The bill as approved by the Senate would increase the limit to 70 on all interstates and parkways and 65 on most other four-lane roads.

Adkins said time is running out to pass the bill because other legislation has a higher priority with the House leadership.

The House Transportation Committee meets today, but Chairman Herbert Collins said the speed limit bill isn't on the agenda. It could be the last scheduled meeting for the committee this session.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Paducah Sun, Ky.

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Source: The Paducah Sun

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