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HF1970 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Driver's education financial assistance pilot program established, and money appropriated.

Related bill: SF2197

AI Generated Summary

Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to create a pilot program in Minnesota that provides financial assistance to help eligible youth access driver's education courses and obtain driver's licenses. It seeks to support low-income and disadvantaged young people between the ages of 15 and 24.

Main Provisions

  • Pilot Program Establishment: The Department of Public Safety will run the program, awarding grants to eligible entities such as school districts, local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofits that help low-income youths.
  • Financial Assistance: Eligible youth, including those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship, may receive up to $2,000 to cover costs like driver's education courses, behind-the-wheel instruction, application fees for licenses, and even past fines that hinder them from getting a license.
  • Program Administration: The commissioner will oversee the program's implementation in various communities, ensuring that entities have the backing of community-based organizations focused on underprivileged groups.
  • Data Collection and Reporting: Participating entities must collect data on applications, awards, and the success rate of obtaining licenses among participants. Reports summarizing the program's activities will be required annually.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Pilot Program Duration: The program is temporary, set to expire on June 30, 2028, alongside a one-time appropriation of $3.85 million to fund it.
  • Work Group Formation: A work group composed of education, public safety, and economic development commissioners, along with other stakeholders, will assess the availability of driver's education in Minnesota and propose permanent solutions for funding such courses for low-income students.

Relevant Terms

  • Driver's education
  • Financial assistance
  • Low-income youth
  • Homelessness
  • Foster care
  • Driver's license debugging

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 05, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toTransportation Finance and Policy
March 09, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthor added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill definitions section references the existing Minnesota Statutes section 171.33 subdivision 1, clarifying the definition of drivers education.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.33"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill references the existing Minnesota Statutes section 171.01 subdivision 37 for the definition of a driver’s license.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "171.01"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The eligibility section of the bill references the existing Minnesota Statutes section 256K.45 for the definition of homeless youth.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "256K.45"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill cites Minnesota Statutes section 142A.609 related to extended foster care benefits.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "142A.609"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill refers to section 260C.451 regarding extended foster care benefits for eligibility criteria.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "260C.451"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "The bill includes a reference to Minnesota family investment program assistance under Minnesota Statutes chapter 142G.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "142G"
  }
]

Sponsors