6/12/03-Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed legislation lowering the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
The governor’s signature secures millions in federal highway dollars for the state.
A 2000 federal law requires each state’s legislature to adopt the lower drinking and driving limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its road money.
Nevada stood to lose $28.4 million in federal money over the next four years if it had not lowered the drunken driving limit.
The new law goes into effect Sept. 23.

6/3/03-The Senate approved a measure May 29 that would lower the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit.
The proposal, which passed by a 19-2 vote, previously passed the Assembly. It now heads to the governor.
AB7 lowers the standard for drunken driving in the state from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content 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 road money.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (775) 684-1385.

5/29/03-The Assembly has approved a bill to lower the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit.
AB7 lowers the standard for drunken driving in the state from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content to 0.08 percent.
The Assembly approved the measure May 27 by a 33-9 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate where it is expected to pass.
For bill status, call (775) 684-1385.

5/23/03-The threat of losing $28 million in federal highway funds is helping to push a proposal through the Legislature to lower the state’s legal blood-alcohol limit.
AB7 lowers the standard for drunken driving in the state from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content to 0.08 percent.
The Assembly Ways and Means Committee is expected to approve the measure by the end of the month and send it to the full Assembly for a vote. If it passes, the bill will head to the Senate where it is expected to pass.
The bill has an $82,000 cost to the state Department of Corrections included with it over two years due to an expected increase in the number of inmates sent to prison for driving under the influence. The cost is based on one additional inmate being sent to prison every four months for a three-year sentence.
Those costs pale, however, when compared to the penalties Nevada will incur beginning next year from the federal government if the limit is not lowered.
A 2000 federal law requires each state’s legislature to adopt the 0.08 limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its road money.
Nevada would lose $28.4 million in federal money over the next four years if it does not lower the limit.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (775) 684-1385.

3/13/03-The threat of losing $28 million in federal highway funds could help a Nevada lawmaker's proposal to lower the state's legal blood-alcohol limit to 0.08 percent pass the state Legislature.
AB7, introduced by Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, lowers the standard for drunken driving in the state from 0.10 percent blood alcohol content to 0.08.
The bill has an $82,000 cost to the state Department of Corrections included with it over two years due to an expected increase in the number of inmates sent to prison for driving under the influence. The cost is based on one additional inmate being sent to prison every four months for a three-year sentence.
Those costs pale, however, when compared to the penalties Nevada will incur beginning next year from the federal government if the limit is not lowered.
A 2000 federal law requires each state's legislature to adopt the 0.08 limit by 2004 or lose 2 percent of its road money.
Nevada would reportedly lose $28.4 million in federal money by 2006 if it does not lower the limit.
States that adopt the new limit by 2007 can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (775) 684-1385.