Panel narrows eligibility for electronic monitoring after case where DUI offender served on GPS after a long sentence

Senators voted 9–0 to advance SB 137, a bill that removes driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury from the list of crimes eligible for Department of Corrections electronic-monitoring programs.

Vice Chair Hamilton said the bill remedies what he called a statutory "hole" revealed by a recent case in which a defendant sentenced to about 15 years ultimately participated in an electronic-monitoring program and was on an ankle monitor after 73 days in custody. Hamilton described the measure as "a very simple fix" to ensure the eligibility list matches legislative intent and protects victims.

Senators questioned whether DOC or judges authorize monitoring and how the program functions in practice. Hamilton and colleagues explained that electronic monitoring is an administrative DOC tool—authorized for custody duties and as an alternative means of serving a sentence—and is not a judicial early release. The sponsor said the bill specifically removes DUI resulting in great bodily injury from the program’s eligibility and listed the change in the statutory section referenced in the bill.

Committee members generally supported the change and emphasized accountability for dangerous driving; the committee recorded nine ayes and zero nays and declared the bill passed in committee.