FY 2016 Appropriation

The Driver License line item is responsible for the licensing and examining of Utah motorists, ensuring that all motorists meet minimum vision, knowledge and performance requirements, and are capable of driving safely. The line item also directs attention to specific driver improvement and correction problems.

The Driver License line item is divided into three major programs with specific responsibilities in Administration, Driver Services, and Driver Records. In addition, the line item has a Motorcycle Safety program and administers the Uninsured Motorists Database.

Funding History
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $34,836,600 from all sources for Driver License. This is a 10.2 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources.

Appropriation Adjustments

In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time Amendments to Driver License Records$0$8,500
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$8,500Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
Enactment of this bill could increase state revenue to the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account by $18,200 annually beginning FY 2016. Enactment of the bill could cost the Department of Public Safety $8,500 one-time in FY 2016 from the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account for programming changes.
Camera System Replacement$0$250,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$250,000Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
No Description
Credit Card Readers$0$208,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$208,000Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
No Description
Driver License Testing Amendments$0$36,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$36,000Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
Enactment of this legislation likely will not materially impact state revenue. This bill could cost the Department of Public Safety (DPS) $36,000 one time in FY 2015 from the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account for 360 hours of programming to facilitate online testing for about 60,000 individuals annually.
Electronic Tablet Testing - DTS Fees, Tablet Maint.$98,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$98,000$0Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
No Description
Mailing and Printing Cost Increase$250,000$0
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$250,000$0Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
No Description
Uniform Driver License Act Amendments$0$4,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$4,000Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
Enactment of this legislation could reduce revenues to the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account by $136,000 ongoing beginning in FY 2016. Enactment of this bill could cost the Department of Public Safety $4,000 from the Department of Public Safety Restricted Account one time in FY 2015 for programming expenses.
Vernal Driver License Building$0$400,000
OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source
$0$400,000Dept. of Public Safety Rest. Acct.
Construction of the Vernal Driver License Building was authorized in HB9, 2014 GS. During the 2015 GS the Driver License Division requested additional funds to complete the building as infrastructure costs were higher than expected. Funding is from the DPS Restricted Account.
Staff Analysis

The nonlapsing balance in this line item is due to a structural imbalance that the Legislature addressed in the 2012 General Session. Since then, there have been increased expenditures within the Driver License line item which is largely funded with Transportation Restricted - Public Safety Account. Currently expenditures have increased over revenue and have depleted the balance. The Department reports expected expenditures for FY 2014 that will further deplete the balance however the Legislature should consider returning some of the balance back to the fund restricted account in order to have direction over the use of funds in the future.

Statute

Statutory Authority for the Driver License line item is found in UCA 53-3.

Senate Bill 81 from the 2008 General Session requires proof of citizenship when a license is renewed. Adjustments within the division were made to accommodate provisions relating to this legislation and in consideration of related federal law beginning January 2010.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 29

Under section 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for The Department of Public Safety -Driver License line item not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2015.


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COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.