Panel advances changes to Georgia DUI risk‑reduction program after contested debate

The Georgia Senate Public Safety Committee voted 5–4 to advance a committee substitute to Senate Bill 473 that restructures parts of the state’s DUI risk‑reduction program, clarifies how an existing $30 fee is allocated, and removes an upfront vendor assessment the bill’s sponsor described as duplicative of the required clinical evaluation.

Sponsor Sen. Robertson explained that the amendment (AM390503 operating from LC394902) shows a split of the current $30 fee into two $15 fees, directing $15 to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) and $15 to the Department of Driver Services (DDS). Robertson said the reallocation is intended to clarify budgeting and avoid a potential shortfall to DDS. Robertson and supporters argued the program’s upfront 100‑question software assessment duplicates clinical evaluations required by Georgia law and imposes extra cost on defendants.

Committee members raised access and constitutional concerns. Sen. Wicks asked whether repeat offenders or service members stationed outside Georgia could complete the required instruction, and the sponsor said live, synchronous remote instruction was available and that out‑of‑state or military personnel could access approved classes. Sen. Jackson and others objected to language that might require a defendant to complete the course before a plea was accepted, arguing such a pre‑plea mandate could disadvantage indigent defendants and raise due‑process issues.

Megan Davidson of Legislative Counsel flagged potential procedural and due‑process risks and suggested rewording the provision so consent to complete the course would be part of a sentence or that completion occur upon conviction. Public testimony came from Andrew Hall (raising court‑backlog and equity concerns), Al Barber (chairman, Georgia Driving School Association, who urged removing duplicative upfront assessments and said operators support a smaller in‑program assessment), and Bob Dallas (representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Georgia), who defended the utility of the PRI assessment and the value of in‑person engagement.

The committee adopted AM390503 and a separate motion to strike section 4 (the pre‑plea requirement). Sen. Bearden’s amendment to require in‑person instruction except for active‑duty military failed on a voice vote. After amendment votes, the committee approved the committee substitute 5–4 and sent the bill forward to Rules.

"All we're doing is grant every law enforcement officer who works at a private university here in state of Georgia to be identified as peace officers so they can engage in the exact same way that I did when I was in law enforcement," the sponsor said in earlier testimony that framed related safety discussions. (Note: the quoted portion refers to related bill testimony on law‑enforcement parity.)

Next steps: the committee substitute will be transmitted to the Rules Committee for scheduling ahead of crossover deadlines.