Committee hears hours of testimony on bill to alter DUI risk‑reduction assessment and fees; discussion continued to Wednesday

The Georgia Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday took extensive testimony on SB 473, a bill by Senator Robertson that would revise rules for DUI risk‑reduction programs, require proof of completion of certified programs in certain plea or reinstatement circumstances and alter fees and assessment procedures.

Senator Robertson described the measure as clarifying that completion of a certified DUI risk‑reduction program should be required for some plea outcomes and said it "requires submission of proof of completion of a certified DUI risk reduction program by those who are required" to attend such classes. He also said the bill would regulate crediting completion toward license reinstatement and would revise authorized program fees.

Officials from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), program operators and assessment vendors offered competing perspectives. Shavonda Leslie, director of government affairs and communications for DDS, told the committee the agency collects program funds and that "a portion of that question...a portion of those funds is split between DDS and DBHDD" and that funds go back to the general fund with agencies returning later to request appropriations.

Industry witnesses and program developers emphasized the assessment's role in tailoring instruction and cited recidivism research. Barry Schrank, president of Taggart's Driving School and a long‑time industry representative, said the assessment "has about 130 questions on it" and is used to guide instructor delivery and DBHDD evaluations. Ina Mitchell of the Prevention Research Institute said the curriculum and associated assessments are evidence‑based and cited peer‑reviewed recidivism studies supporting program effectiveness; she said Georgia has been a model and that 16 states mandate the PRI curriculum.

Other operators warned of financial impacts if assessment or other pillars are removed. Mike Latella, a DUI school owner, said the student pays a $100 assessment and that $30 goes back to the state, $8 to the assessment vendor and the remainder to the driving school.

Committee members pressed on fiscal impacts and legal sequencing. Minority Leader Senator Jones and others discussed whether the assessment should remain universal or be limited to certain plea categories; Senator Robertson indicated willingness to work on language such as limiting requirements for repeat offenders. The hearing was paused for time and the chair announced the committee will resume consideration Wednesday; the sponsor was asked to work with stakeholders toward a committee substitute addressing fiscal and sequencing concerns.

Next steps: SB 473 remains under consideration; the committee scheduled continued testimony at its next meeting on Wednesday.