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DUI legislation passes Senate, goes to Guinn

Friday, May 30, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Fearing the loss of up to $28.5 million in federal highway construction money, the Senate on Thursday passed and sent to the governor a bill to lower the blood alcohol level to prove drunken driving from 0.10 to 0.08.

For years bars, restaurants and casinos have opposed this change. Their objections were overridden by the prospect of losing the federal funds.

The vote on Assembly Bill 7 was 19-2, with Sens. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, and Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, dissenting.

The state Transportation Department says the state must adopt a new blood alcohol level by Sept. 30 this year or lose 2 percent of its road-building funds. That total increases to 8 percent by fiscal year 2007.

So far 34 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have adopted the laws.

The penalty for Nevada would be a loss of $2.8 million in fiscal 2004; $5.7 million in 2005; $8.5 million in 2006 and $11.4 million in 2007.

The bill passed the Assembly 33-9 on Tuesday.

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