8/19/03-A bill that would have lowered the state’s drunken driving threshold to 0.08 percent from 0.10 percent has died.
Minnesota would have been eligible to receive millions of dollars in federal highway funding if SF58 had been signed into law. A two-year old federal law requires all states to adopt the 0.08 standard by October or risk losing millions in highway money.
The state now stands to lose out on $6.6 million next year and nearly $20 million in two years.
The bill was in the Senate Finance Committee when the session ended.

3/13/03-A Minnesota Senate committee has approved lowering the state's drunken driving threshold.
The bill, approved by a voice vote Feb. 26 in the Senate public safety committee would lower the allowed blood-alcohol content of drivers to .08 percent from 0.10.
The North Star State would get millions of dollars in federal highway funding if lawmakers pass the bill. A two-year old federal law requires all states to adopt the 0.08 standard by October or risk losing millions in highway money.
State Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids, SF58's sponsor, said the state stands to lose out on $6.6 million next year and nearly $20 million in two years if the bill does not pass.
The bill is in the Senate Finance Committee. A similar House bill - HF97 - is in the House judiciary committee.
For Senate bill status, call (651) 296-2887.