Driver Responsibility Fee
Draconian solutions fail to lower Dallas' uninsured rate
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Sat, 2010-07-17 11:30 Authored by GritsforbreakfastOne reason I'm glad to see the proposed new rules for the Driver Responsibility Program is I've become utterly sick of phony, disingenuous non-solutions like the DRP being proposed for the problem of uninsured drivers. The issue has been around forever, voters are frustrated and edgy about it and because everyone drives, everyone's got a strong opinion.
Amnesty, Indigence programs make it into surcharge rules; 'incentive' program not immediately implemented
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Fri, 2010-07-16 12:25 Authored by GritsforbreakfastFinally we see the new, proposed rule changes to the Driver Responsibility surcharge, and at first blush they look pretty good compared to what the agency had suggested before, though the "Incentive" program regrettably won't be immediately implemented. (See the proposal uploaded here on Google Docs. Read it for yourself for more details.) Here are the topline descriptions of the programs from DPS:
The amnesty program will apply only to individuals currently suspended and not in compliance with the surcharge assessment. Eligible individuals will pay 10% of the total surcharges due, not to exceed $250. If 25% of the eligible individuals participate annually in the amnesty program, the estimated collections would be approximately $18 million.
Chair leaves Senate Committee just before scheduled DRP hearing
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Fri, 2010-07-16 07:04 Authored by GritsforbreakfastWho knows what this will mean in practice for the Driver Responsibility program, which presumably is still scheduled to be discussed before the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee on August 3, or for that matter the array of other issues facing the committee, but Sen. John Carona, a critic of the program, was replaced as chair by Sen. Tommy Williams, a Republican out of the Woodlands. Austin Sen. Kirk Watson is now vice chair. Carona left the committee entirely and will now chair Business and Finance. Perhaps more significantly as it regards criminal justice policy reform, Carona also left the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and was replaced by conservative ex-judge Sen. Joan Huffman, who is now vice-chair.
Timeline on upcoming Driver Responsibility rules, hearings
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Mon, 2010-07-12 18:26 Authored by GritsforbreakfastThe next couple of months are shaping up to be important ones regarding proposed reforms to Texas' Driver Responsibility program. I'd already mentioned that the new DPS rules will be released this week, and the Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee will meet in Plano on August 3 to "Review the possible increase in number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers resulting from license suspensions or indigence resulting from drivers' inability to pay Driver Responsibility surcharges in light of new Department of Public Safety rules."
Prosecutors altering charging decisions to avoid Driver Responsibility surcharge
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Fri, 2010-07-09 07:10 Authored by GritsforbreakfastCriticisms of Texas' Driver Responsibility Surcharge arose at a hearing of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee yesterday on DWI policy, and Mike Ward at the Statesman reports ("Overhaul of DWI laws may be coming," July 9) that "much of the criticism came from police and prosecutors — who in years past have championed many of the programs they now say are not working."
Peggy Fikac at the Houston Chronicle ("Houston lawmaker decries hefty DWI surcharge," July 9) wrote that:
Back to the Drawing Board: DPS rewriting Driver Responsibility rules
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Tue, 2010-05-18 09:01 Authored by GritsforbreakfastThanks to Paul Watkins and Rebekah Hibbs for allowing me to participate yesterday in the DPS working group on the Driver Responsibility rules regarding indigency, amnesty and incentive programs. The discussion centered mostly on concepts; they didn't get down to drafting language. But if the rules that ultimately go to the Public Safety Commission (PSC) follow our discussion yesterday, they'll be a dramatic improvement IMO over what was discussed at the public hearing.
Without going into details that would violate the spirit of open participation at such a meeting, there was a consensus on adding amnesty and incentive programs to the indigency program suggested previously, as well as on simplifying the indigency application process modeled on methods commonly used in courts and hospitals.
Working group on Driver Responsibility rules loaded with hospital voices
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Wed, 2010-05-12 09:57 Authored by GritsforbreakfastAfter the Public Safety Commission told the agency to revisit rules on the Driver Responsibility surcharge to consider amnesty programs and other fixes authorized by the Legislature, the Texas Department of Public Safety this week created a working group on the subject. Last week I asked to be allowed to participate in several (mostly unanswered) emails, but yesterday Rebekah Hibbs at DPS told me the group had already been selected, offering that "Once the revised rule is published for public comment, we would certainly appreciate hearing your comments at that time." Gee, thanks.
Driver Responsibility program has 'devastating' effect on court system; hospitals only opposition to reform
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Tue, 2010-04-27 06:11 Authored by GritsforbreakfastSee coverage of yesterday's hearing on the Driver Responsibility rules from the Dallas News, the Texas Tribune and News 8 Austin. I thought the event went well, though the Public Safety Commission apparently expected a larger crowd. Here's a notable highlight from Terrence Stutz's Morning News story:
Hearing on Driver Responsibility rules this afternoon
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Mon, 2010-04-26 08:49 Authored by GritsforbreakfastI'll be headed to the capitol this afternoon when the Public Safety Commission considers proposed indigency rules to the Driver Responsibility surcharge. See my column from last week's Dallas Morning News on the topic. Here are the logistical details of today's meeting for anyone interested:
AGENDA
Public Safety Commission Meeting
April 26, 2010, 3:00 p. m. – 7:00 p.m.
Senate Committee Hearing Room E1.028, and Room E1.016 for overflow
State Capitol Extension Bldg.
Austin , TX 78701
Dallas News column on Driver Responsibility rules
Submitted by Gritsforbreakfast on Thu, 2010-04-22 20:57 Authored by GritsforbreakfastThe Dallas Morning News tomorrow is publishing an op ed I wrote advocating improvements to the proposed indigency rules for the DPS Driver Responsibility surcharge, and I noticed this evening they've placed a version on line. Nothing earth shattering for Grits readers, I imagine, who've heard many of the arguments before, but give it a read if you're interested.
