Committee deadlocks 5-5 on bill raising DUI and driver-improvement school fees; SB160 fails

A Georgia Motor Vehicles Committee vote on SB160 ended in a 5-5 tie, and the measure failed after lawmakers debated proposed fee increases for DUI and driver-improvement schools, limits on who may perform clinical evaluations and new electronic transfer rules for needs assessments.

The bill would have raised the fees charged by certified DUI and driver-improvement course providers; added authorization for electronic transfer of licensing and needs-assessment information; and limited clinical evaluators to those with training in alcohol and drug-abuse evaluation or assessment. Supporters said the increases would help schools cover rising overhead and keep providers in business. Critics warned higher prices could put courses out of reach for some offenders and could worsen low…