House Votes Down Bill To Standardize Drivers Ed
by KDLT News
March 04, 2013 6:34 PM
A measure that would set up a coordinated drivers' education system with statewide standards for course content, instruction, testing and instructor certification has failed in the South Dakota House.
The bill was one of a handful to come out of the Task Force on Teen Driving Safety.
The Senate Transportation Committee last week attached a $50,000 appropriation to the bill, which forced sponsors to get a two-thirds vote.
Two attempts to strip the appropriation failed, and the bill twice couldn't garner two-thirds support.
Democratic Rep. Peggy Gibson of Huron argued that the federal government is providing money to hire a drivers' education coordinator so the appropriation is unnecessary.
But Republican Rep. Lance Russell of Hot Springs says he's concerned about sequestration and whether the money would be available.
