5/13/04-A bill that would require bad drivers in Florida to pay an extra tax has died.
S1496, sponsored by Senate Transportation Chair Jim Sebasta, R-St. Petersburg, remained in the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation at the close of the session April 30, effectively killing the bill for the year.
The bill sought to place a three-year tax on drivers in the state convicted of drunken driving and those who rack up seven points or more on their driving record or drive while their licenses are suspended.
The “Florida Driver’s Responsibility Law” called for sending 50 percent of the revenue raised by the tax to road building, 20 percent to hospital trauma centers, 20 percent to state trooper recruitment and 10 percent to services for brain- and spinal-injury victims.
Under the proposal a driver’s first drunken driving offense would result in a $1,000 tax paid annually for three years, in addition to other traffic fines. Those convicted of a second drunken driving offense would see the annual tax jump to $1,500. Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 percent would face a $2,000 annual tax.
Speeders or other drivers with bad driving records who accumulate seven points on their license would cost $100 annually for three years, with each additional point costing an extra $25.
Those caught driving without licenses would be charged $250 annually for three years.

3/2/04-Senate Transportation Chair Jim Sebasta, R-St. Petersburg, has sponsored a bill that would require bad drivers in Florida to pay an extra tax.
S1496 would place a three-year tax on drivers in the state convicted of drunken driving and those who rack up seven points or more on their driving record or drive while their licenses are suspended.
The “Florida Driver’s Responsibility Law” would send 50 percent of the revenue raised by the tax to road building, 20 percent to hospital trauma centers, 20 percent to state trooper recruitment and 10 percent to services for brain- and spinal-injury victims.
A driver’s first drunken driving offense would result in a $1,000 tax paid annually for three years, in addition to other traffic fines. Those convicted of a second drunken driving offense would see the annual tax jump to $1,500. Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 percent would face a $2,000 annual tax.
Speeders or other drivers with bad driving records who accumulate seven points on their license would cost $100 annually for three years, with each additional point costing an extra $25.
Those caught driving without licenses would be charged $250 annually for three years.
The bill is in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. For bill status, call (850) 488-4371. In Florida, call 1-800-342-1827.