3/14/03 - SF37, a bill that would lower the drunken driving standard from 0.10 to 0.08 percent blood alcohol content, is before the full Senate, awaiting debate and a vote.
The bill has been combined into another measure, HF65, and placed under "unfinished business," which means it can be called for debate or have amendments added at any time. To become law, the measure has to pass the Senate, be transferred to the House and go through committee by April 11.
Iowa officials, meanwhile, have contacted federal officials to see if the bill meets federal requirements for lowering the drunken driving standard. Iowa defines the standard for drunken driving as 0.10 percent blood alcohol content. But 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 reportedly 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) 281-3371.

3/7/03 - Legislation in the Iowa General Assembly lowers the state's legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers and at the same time retains valuable federal dollars.
Iowa defines the standard for drunken driving as 0.10 percent blood alcohol content. Under SF37, introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the standard would be cut 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.
Iowa would forfeit about $47 million in federal highway funds if it fails to act, The Quad-City Times reported.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (515) 281-3371.