Legislature Passes Driver’s License Bill, Paves the Path to Prosperity

Apr 30, 2019 by AFP

NASHVILLE, TN – Americans for Prosperity – Tennessee (AFP-TN) today applauded Senate members for unanimous passage of the driver’s license restoration (HB 839/SB 1143) bill. The legislation will allow Tennesseans with unpaid traffic citations, fines, and fees to receive a payment plan based on their financial situation and a restricted license to continue driving to work or school while paying off their debt.

“The legislature today ended an unjust and outdated policy that criminalized poverty and made it harder for Tennesseans to be productive members of our communities. Ending this misguided policy enables people to retain a reliable mode of transportation to continue to work and pay their fines,” said Tori Venable, AFP-TN State Director. “This legislation has been a major issue for our organization and we are pleased Tennessee’s criminal justice system is moving to one that is smarter on crime and softer on taxpayers. We thank the legislature for paving the path to prosperity and removing this barrier to opportunity for Tennesseans who want to continue to work.”

Background:

House Unanimously Passes Driver’s License Restoration Bill, 4/15/19

Criminal justice reform has been a top priority for the organization this legislative session. At the outset of the session, AFP-TN identified criminal justice reform has its number one issue in its legislative agenda.

Read State Director Tori Venable’s op-ed on why criminal justice reform is needed in the Volunteer State here.