Padden pleased with committee’s unanimous support for DUI bill

May 14, 2013

padden_pqThis morning the Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously backed a bill that would make sweeping changes in state law concerning the crime of driving under the influence.

Sen. Mike Padden, committee chairman, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5912. He said the measure has evolved significantly since the committee first saw it during a work session in late April, thanks to frequent discussions between the Senate, House of Representatives and governor’s office.

“The bill as approved by our committee today would touch on many aspects of a DUI case: what law enforcement does after pulling someone over, what the courts are able to do, and the choices offenders will have,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley.

“There’s a lot of political momentum behind this effort, and I’m optimistic that we will have a new DUI law in place before the Legislature adjourns for the year.”

Changes proposed in the Senate measure include elements that are likely to also appear in a House DUI bill:

  • Motorists stopped on suspicion of repeat DUI would be automatically arrested, similar to how domestic-violence situations are handled
  • Someone arrested on suspicion of a second (or more) DUI would have to have an ignition-interlock device installed on his or her vehicle within 10 days of being released from custody
  • A repeat DUI conviction that involves driving the wrong way or having a child younger than 16 in the vehicle would mean a longer sentence
  • A fourth DUI would be treated as a felony; state law now treats a fourth arrest as a misdemeanor
  • Offenders will either be ordered into or have the option of participating in a 24/7 sobriety program, with twice-daily testing
  • The mandatory minimum jail time for repeat offenders would increase by 10 days

The bill’s price tag hasn’t been established by the state Office of Financial Management. Because SB 5912 carries a cost, it must go next to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for consideration.

“This is about more than punishing repeat offenders,” said Padden, a former longtime Spokane County judge who also worked on traffic-safety issues with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “DUI is a completely preventable crime; in my experience, this combination of tools should help prevent people from becoming repeat offenders in the first place, while making Washington roads safer for our citizens.”