5/13/03-A bill that would create a tougher standard for drunken driving is now law.
Gov. Tom Vilsack signed HF65, which lowers the state’s legal blood alcohol content from 0.10 percent to 0.08.
The bill passed the House earlier in the session, and passed the Senate by a vote of 46-4 April 15.
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. Iowa would have forfeited about $47 million in federal highway funds by 2007 if it had failed to act.

4/16/03- The Senate has passed HF65, a bill that would lower the state’s drunken driving standard from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content to 0.08. The vote was 46-4.
The bill has already passed the House, and is on the way to the governor’s desk.
Iowa officials have contacted federal officials to see whether the bill meets federal requirements for lowering the drunken driving standard.
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.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.

4/7/03-Iowa’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted April 2 to recommend passage of HF65, a bill that would lower the drunken driving standard from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content to 0.08.
The bill has already passed the House. Several amendments were added in the Senate, and must be approved by the House for the bill to go on to the governor’s desk. A similar bill, SF37, was incorporated into HF65 earlier.
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. Iowa would forfeit about $47 million in federal highway funds if it fails to act.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (515) 281-3221.