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Senate advances DUI amendments to increase compensatory service and add accountability
Summary
Senate Bill 9, a DUI-related measure from the governor's DUI council, was moved to the third-reading calendar Jan. 21, 2002; the bill increases compensatory service hours from 24 to 48 in certain cases and adds enforcement steps, including notification to the Driver License Division and supervised probation for repeat offenses.
Senator Walker presented Senate Bill 9 as one of eight bills emerging from the governor's DUI council and urged the chamber to strengthen accountability for DUI offenders. "It increases the compensatory service time from 24 to 48 hours," Walker said, and the bill creates an enforcement mechanism requiring that offenders notify the Driver License Division if they fail to complete ordered compensatory service. The bill also calls for supervised probation on a third offense.
Senator Hilliard expressed concern about language that sets a mandatory minimum ("not less than 48 hours") versus allowing judges discretion to impose more time where appropriate. Walker said the bill reflects council recommendations and noted the proposal aims to increase compliance and enforcement where compensatory service has not been reliably completed in the past.
After floor discussion, Senator Walker moved SB9 to the third-reading calendar; the roll-call vote showed the bill passed to third reading (28 ayes, one absent). Sponsors said there is no immediate fiscal note but emphasized the intent to improve accountability and enforcement for DUI sentences.
