Committee approves $10 assessment fee, raises DUI-school fees amid debate over online courses

The committee voted to add a $10 assessment fee to court-ordered DUI education programs and approved the bill as amended after extended discussion about program access and the financial viability of providers.

Chairman Powell framed the fee increase as an effort to keep intervention providers solvent and to preserve the in-person, group setting that instructors and some judges say is essential to changing offender behavior. Powell said many providers have closed or consolidated; he cited DeKalb County as an example where programs fell from 22 to eight providers in recent years because of rising costs.

Powell proposed fee restructuring that would break previously all-inclusive charges into itemized components so providers and the public could see what each program element costs. He said the current combined fee was $385 and that his changes would raise it to $430 — a $45 increase — and that he intended to add a $10 assessment fee paid to a professional assessment provider. "If we're gonna be serious about this program working, then let's be serious," Powell said, arguing that group in-person settings and a controlled environment are important to rehabilitation.

Representatives on the committee pushed back on removing online options. Rep. Taylor said she supported second chances and worried that limiting online courses would restrict access, especially for first-time offenders and those who lack transportation. Rep. Montan and Rep. Alexander raised rural-access and medical-access concerns, noting some participants relied on online delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic to regain licenses when in-person attendance was not feasible.

Committee members adopted an amendment to add a $10 assessment fee, then voted to approve the bill as amended. During the recorded roll calls the chair asked members to raise their hands; the transcript records counts given by the chair ("6 7 8 9 9") and later an opposing count of "3." The chair declared: "The bill passes as amended." The transcript does not specify the bill number for this item.

The bill as amended breaks out program fees (course materials up to $25, intervention component $2.75 in one line cited in committee paperwork), adds a $10 assessment fee and raises total program fees from $385 to $430 as presented to the committee. The amendment and final bill were recorded as adopted in committee; the transcript does not show subsequent steps such as floor action or enactment.

Committee members asked staff and the Department of Driver Services to consider access implications and the availability of providers before further action.