5/22/03-Under a federal mandate to toughen its drunken driving threshold or face the loss of millions in highway funds, Gov. John Hoeven has signed legislation into law lowering the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit 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 had failed to lower the limit, it stood to lose $32 million in federal road funds in the next four years.
The new limit will go into effect Aug. 1.

3/27/03-Legislation that would lower North Dakota's legal blood-alcohol limit for drunken driving convictions from 0.10 percent to 0.08 is headed to the governor for final approval.
The bill also retains federal highway dollars.
HB1161 passed the Senate March 26 by a 39 to 7 vote. The House has already approved the idea.
The Peace Garden State is under a federal mandate to toughen its drunken driving penalties or face the loss of millions in highway funds.

3/11/03-Legislation in the North Dakota Senate lowers the state's legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers and at the same time retains federal highway dollars.
Under current state law, the standard for drunken driving is 0.10 percent blood alcohol content. HB1161 would cut the limit to 0.08, as mandated by a 2000 federal law.
Proponents said lowering the limit is necessary to avoid losing out on federal highway dollars.
If the state fails to lower the BAC limit to 0.08, it would lose $32 million in federal road funds in the next four years.
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.
The bill passed the House Feb. 13 by a 75 to 18 vote. It is in the Senate Transportation Committee. A hearing on the measure is scheduled for March 13.
For bill status, call (701) 328-2916.