8 measures win approval in the battle against DUI

Lawmakers called the emotional problem of drunken driving in Utah a top priority, and by session's end Wednesday, they had passed eight bills that offered some solutions.

"I actually think we made out fairly well," said Marvin Dodge, administrator for the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council.

The $25,000 fiscal note for HB18, sponsored by Rep. Lamont Tyler, R- Salt Lake City, will help pay for state courts to collect and maintain data necessary for sentencing and enhancement decisions in DUI and reckless driving offenses.

They also passed a Senate bill that eventually will give more money to communities for programs and projects related to the prevention, treatment, detection, prosecution and control of offenses in which alcohol is a contributing factor.

SB30, sponsored by Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, passed the House 63-0 Wednesday afternoon. The bill amends a statute that distributes money collected though the state's beer tax to ensure a specific portion of the money would go to cities and counties for DUI enforcement and programs Legislative fiscal analysts had threatened to cut $2.6 million already designated in 2002 and 2003 for those bills, but restored that money in last-minute budget wrangling.

SB30 was the last in a series of DUI bills to pass because it asked lawmakers for a long-term financial commitment to DUI, and legislators said they simply didn't have the money this year. Waddoups original bill would have allowed the allocation to community DUI programs to grow by $400,000 each year until the ceiling of $4.35 million, but the bill was watered down to remove that caveat.

Proponents say important language remains that ensures by 2008 lawmakers shall allocate from the general fund 40 percent of the beer tax or the $4.35 million.

"In a year when money is as tight as it's been, I'm really thrilled that (HB18 and SB30) made it through," Dodge said. "I had my doubts."

Other bills that passed were the following:

• SB13, Rep. Carlene Walker, R-Salt Lake. Modifies the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act to include a warning to be posted in businesses that sell alcohol. "Warning: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime that is prosecuted aggressively in Utah."

• SB9, Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Salt Lake. Boosts the number of community service hours from 24 to 48 for those convicted of driving under the influence. The bill would also add a reporting requirement to ensure offenders are doing their community service.