On April 14 the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety took up an interim charge regarding the Driver Responsibility Program. “I don’t see this program being scrapped in the 84th session,” said state Rep. Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, chairman of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. But he acknowledged that changes to the program will be critical. Scott Henson with the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition argued that there was not one aspect of the program that was working the way it which it was intended. Although some witnesses offered recommendations to the program, many who work with the justice system called for an end to the program. Committee members were told it would take approximately $150 million annually to replace funding to the trauma hospitals that Driver Responsibility program provides. For a complete HillCo Client Report on the hearing, please visit: https://www.hillcopartners.com/advisory/house-homeland-security-and-public-safety-april-14-2014