2003 House Bill 4600

Introduced in the House

April 30, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1)

To prohibit first-year drivers from having more than one passenger other than family members in the car.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

Oct. 16, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 30, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which incorporates technical changes that do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Gene DeRossett (R-52)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Edward Gaffney (R-1)

To establish that the bill will go into effect on May 1, 2005.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-90)

To make an exception for young drivers who are accompanied in the car by a parent or legal guardian, or who have with them written authorization from a parent or legal guardian to carry more than one non-family passenger.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 57 to 43 (details)

To prohibit first-year drivers from having more than one passenger other than family members in the car. The bill makes an exception for young drivers who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or who have with them written authorization from a parent or legal guardian to carry more than one non-family passenger.

Received in the Senate

Nov. 4, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

March 24, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 5, 2004

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that makes violations a secondary offense only, meaning that a driver cannot be pulled over for violations, but can be cited if pulled over for another offense. The substitute also removes the provision allowing a youth with written authorization from a parent or legal guardian to carry more than one non-family passenger.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Oct. 6, 2004

Substitute offered by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

The substitute failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Valde Garcia (R-22)

To allow a driver covered by the bill to carry more than one passenger if the extra passenger is 18 years of age and has graduated from high school.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Burton Leland (D-5)

To prohibit the graduated drivers license level 2 drivers covered by the bill from engaging in any activity that distracts them while driving, including eating or drinking, grooming himself or another person, listening to the radio or CD, watching television, or using a telephone.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-14)

To allow the drivers covered by the bill to carry more than one passenger if they have written authorization from a parent or legal guardian.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-14)

To prohibit the graduated drivers license level 2 drivers covered by the bill from using a telephone while driving.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Valde Garcia (R-22)

To allow a driver covered by the bill to carry more than one passenger if the extra passenger is 18 years of age (rather than 21) and has graduated from high school.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-14)

To allow the drivers covered by the bill to carry more than one passenger if they have written authorization from a parent or legal guardian.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Virg Bernero (D-23)

To only apply the bill to driving after 9:00 p.m. in the evening.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Failed in the Senate 17 to 21 (details)

To prohibit drivers under age 18 with a level two graduated driver license from having in the car more than one passenger other than family members or high school graduates age 18 or older. The bill makes an exception for young drivers who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or who have with them written authorization from a parent or legal guardian to carry more than one non-family passenger.