Regional Licensing Headaches
With the state's regional driver's licensing centers on the receiving end of consistent criticism, lawmakers are considering giving counties the option of shifting some of those services back to county clerks and other local offices.
Kentucky shifted to regional licensing amid the long-awaited introduction of REAL ID, but the resulting 37 state licensing centers have been dogged by persistent complaints. Sen. Aaron Reed rehearsed just a few in committee Wednesday.
"Every one of us has heard the same message from constituents — that the current driver's licensing system is not meeting the needs of Kentucky," he said. "We have long drives, long lines, and repeated delays that have created real frustration across the commonwealth. In many rural counties, families are traveling up to an hour or more just to obtain a license."
Under the Shelbyville Republican's proposal, counties could choose to move some duties back to county clerk, circuit court clerk, sheriff’s, or judge executive offices if they're willing to take them on.
"It's renewals and duplicates only in this bill," Reed explained. "Counties will handle simple, efficient services, not first-time licensing or testing. Participation is voluntary. No county is requiring to take this one. This is local choice, not a top down mandate."
The cost would be covered by an extra $25 fee at the local offices.
And the idea is already enjoying plenty of momentum, with two dozen bipartisan co-sponsors. It passed unanimously out of the Senate Transportation Committee Wednesday.
Hands Free Proposal
Kentucky drivers would be barred from using handheld phones or other electronic devices while driving under a bill that's advancing in the General Assembly.
Under Senate Bill 28, Kentucky would join surrounding states in banning a practice many are likely guilty of on occasion — using a cell phone while behind the wheel. It's an issue Sen. Jimmy Higdon says puts drivers on par with those on the threshold of the legal limit for alcohol.
The Phone Down Kentucky Act would not, however, apply to handsfree options, such as Bluetooth or speaker use. It would also require police officers to visually observe the violation. Higdon said, compared to similar laws, the Kentucky version would be fairly limited.
"It's probably one of the least restrictive hands-free bills in the country, but it's a step in the right direction. It adds Kentucky to the list of... approximately 30 states across the country that do not allow you to have a handheld device in your hand and communicate with it."
The fine would be $100 and officers could not seize or search the device or proceed with a vehicle search based solely on a violation.