Page 25 - DDS FY2020 Annual Report

AGENCY STRUCTURE DDS
ANNUAL
REPORT
2020

the Secure ID Specialist works with customers
needing special assistance with the requirements
of the Real ID Act, including waivers from the
DDS administrative rules. In FY 2020, 26 agency
rules were finalized through the Administrative
Procedures Act process. Furthermore, the Secure
ID specialist aided a total of 338 individuals in
the Secure ID process. Of the 338 cases, 302
cases (89%) were resolved through the Secure ID
Specialist assisting the customer with obtaining
a required document and avoiding the need
Legal Services to request a rule waiver from the board. The
The DDS Legal Services Team is made up remaining 36 cases were presented to the Board
of the General Counsel, three additional of Directors as Citizen Waiver Cases.
attorneys (one who also acts as the Title VI The Legal Team handles initial appeals of
Coordinator), a Secure ID specialist and three non-Administrative License Suspension (ALS)
administrative assistants, including one part-time license withdrawals serving as counsel for the
administrative assistant. The Legal Services DDS before the Office of State Administrative
Team also includes two Georgia Electronic Hearings (OSAH) in contested cases under the
Conviction Processing System (GECPS) program Administrative Procedures Act (APA), O.C.G.A.
Coordinators and one Court Auditor. The team’s §50-13-1, et seq., and as hearing officers for cases
duties include serving as statewide subject- that do not fall under the APA. In FY 2020, a total
matter experts on all legal issues relating to of 173 hearings were scheduled before OSAH
the DDS’ statutory responsibilities. This team and 516 cases were processed administratively
advises DDS team members on issues relating within the agency. The Legal Team also provides
to contracts, employment law, administrative law, extensive training to court clerks, prosecutors,
and applicable motor vehicle and traffic laws. law enforcement, defense attorneys, and judges
Additionally, they respond to complex questions on conviction reporting, consequences of moving
on license issuance and eligibility from internal violations, limited driving permit eligibility, and
and external customers. In FY 2020, the over license reinstatement requirements. In FY 2020,
400 license issuance inquiries were resolved 30 trainings were conducted throughout the State
by the Legal Services Team. The Legal Services of Georgia. The Public Health Emergency due to
team also manages and responds to document the spread of COVID-19 resulted in cancellations
requests received in the context of litigation, non- for all presentations that were scheduled
party production requests, subpoenas, and the between March and July 2020. The Legal Team
Open Records Act. has scheduled weekly webinars to continue
The Legal Team drafts proposed amendments training and education for court staff. The Legal
to the DDS administrative rules for consideration Team also participated in webinars hosted by
by the Board of Driver Services and evaluates other entities.
the potential impact of pending legislation while The Title VI Coordinator manages the Non-
the General Assembly is in session. Further, discrimination program for the agency. The Title

FY 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 25