9/25/03-The Senate did not vote on a bill to lower the state’s drunken-driving threshold during a brief special session Sept. 24.
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner had planned to call Senators back to the Capitol to vote on two judicial nominees, which would also allow them to vote on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent by Sept. 30.
If the state doesn’t lower the limit by the end of the month, it stands to lose $1.6 million in federal highway funds. The penalty increases in future years.
HB111 passed the House in April, but it has languished since then in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
A 2000 federal law requires each state’s legislature to adopt the 0.08 limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its highway money. If the state doesn’t lower its limit to 0.08 by October, it stands to lose $1.6 million in federal highway funds, the Delaware State News reported recently. The penalty escalates in future years. States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.

9/3/03-The Senate could reopen discussion later this month on a bill that would lower the state’s drunken-driving threshold.
Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is calling Senators back to the Capitol Sept. 24 to vote on two judicial nominees. The recall also would allow lawmakers to vote on lowering the blood alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent by Sept. 30.
If the state doesn’t lower the limit by the end of the month, it stands to lose $1.6 million in federal highway funds. The penalty increases in future years.
HB111 passed the House in April, but it has languished since then in the Senate Judiciary Committee. For bill status, call (302) 739-4114.

7/18/03-A bill that would lower the state’s legal blood alcohol content level from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent has stalled.
HB111, which previously passed the House, has been in the Senate Judiciary Committee since May.
The regular legislative session ended in June, and a special session held in July has also passed. The Senate might have another special session in the fall, possibly September, when the bill could be considered.

6/20/03-With the General Assembly scheduled to wrap up its work for this year by June 30, a bill that would establish a tougher standard for drunken driving in Delaware remains in a Senate committee more than two months after it passed the House.
HB111, which passed the House 39-0 on April 17, would lower the state’s legal blood alcohol content level from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
A 2000 federal law requires each state’s legislature to adopt the 0.08 limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its highway money. If the state doesn’t lower its limit to 0.08 by October, it stands to lose $1.6 million in federal highway funds. The penalty escalates in future years.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (302) 739-4114.

4/18/03-HB111, a bill that would establish a tougher standard for drunken driving in Delaware, passed the House 39-0 on April 17.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Albion Goodwin, D-Pembroke, would lower the state’s legal blood alcohol content level from 0.10 percent to 0.08.
A 2000 federal law requires each state’s legislature to adopt the 0.08 limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its highway money. If the state doesn’t lower its limit to 0.08 by October, it stands to lose $1.6 million in federal highway funds. The penalty escalates in future years.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (302) 739-4114.