6/7/04-Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill into law May 27 tightening the state’s standard for drunken driving to 0.08 percent blood-alcohol concentration.
The new law reducing the limit from the current 0.10 percent will become effective Aug. 1, 2005.
Passage of the measure – SF58 – brings the state into compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Holdouts had until last year to pass the lower limit, after which they began losing road money. Minnesota will get the money the federal government withheld as soon as the new law takes effect. But the money will not earn interest.
Minnesota’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard cost the state $6.6 million in highway dollars when lawmakers ignored the Oct. 1, 2003, deadline.

5/18/04-Minnesota is one step closer to tightening its standard for drunken driving to 0.08 percent blood-alcohol concentration.
With overwhelming votes in the House and Senate shortly before dawn Sunday, the Legislature approved reducing the limit from the current 0.10 percent effective Aug. 1, 2005. It now heads to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is expected to sign the bill into law.
Passage of the measure – SF58 – would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Minnesota is one of only two states (Delaware being the other) yet to conform to the federal mandate. Colorado and West Virginia lowered their limits earlier this year.
Holdouts had until last year to pass the lower limit, after which they began losing road money. Minnesota will get the money the federal government withheld as soon as the new law takes effect. But the money will not earn interest.
For bill status, call (651) 296-2887.

4/1/04-The House voted overwhelmingly March 31 to lower the state’s drunken driving threshold.
House lawmakers voted 113-15 in favor of legislation to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit for motorists from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent. The bill now heads back to the Senate to consider House changes.
Passage of SF58 would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Minnesota’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard could cost the state $100 million in highway dollars by 2007. States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (651) 296-2887.

2/26/04-The House Judiciary Committee approved legislation Feb. 24 to lower the state’s blood-alcohol limit for motorists from 0.10 percent to 0.08 percent.
Before the committee approved the bill on a lopsided voice vote, it adopted an amendment to shift about $156,000 a year in drunken-driving fines from the state treasury to local governments. The transfers would apply to fines paid by first-time drunken drivers who register a 0.08 or 0.09 percent blood-alcohol concentration.
The committee also deleted a $1.1 million appropriation in the bill previously approved by the Senate and left the level of funding open. A new amount would be set by one of the four other House committees that will review the bill before it can reach a vote on the floor.
Passage of SF58, sponsored by Sen. Leo Foley, DFL-Coon Rapids, would bring the state in compliance with a federal decree that states adopt the lower limit or lose federal highway dollars.
Minnesota’s previous refusal to adhere to the standard could cost the state $100 million in highway dollars by 2007. States that adopt the new limit by Oct. 1, 2006, can recover the withheld funds.
For bill status, call (651) 296-2887.

Click here to read the 2003 legislative updates for SF58.