DRUNK DRIVING - S.B. 627 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 627 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Mike Rogers

Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:

-- Replace with current license suspension requirement of 90 days to two years with suspensions of 90 days or one year for various offenses; specify a range of suspension for other violations (including drunk driving) depending upon the number of prior convictions; and delete current provisions for license suspensions based on the number and type of prior drunk driving convictions.

-- Define "prior conviction" as operating under the influence (OUIL), operating while impaired (OWI), OUIL or OWI and causing death or a serious impairment of body function, OUIL or OWI with a child under 16 in the vehicle (child endangerment), commercial vehicle drunk driving, negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder resulting from the operation of a vehicle, or an attempt to commit one of those violations, or operation of a vehicle by a minor with any body alcohol content (for purposes a suspension based on that violation).

-- Allow the Secretary of State to issue a restricted license in certain cases, and prescribe the circumstances under which a restricted license could be issued.

-- Include child endangerment in provisions requiring the suspension or revocation of vehicle group designations; and require revocation for at least 10 years for OUIL or OWI causing death or a serious impairment, negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

-- Establish felony penalties (including a mandatory fine and either imprisonment or probation) for a commercial drunk driving offense within 10 years of two or more prior convictions.

The bill would take effect May 1, 1998, and is tie-barred to Senate Bills 268, 269, 271, 625, 626, 870, 953, 989, 990, and 991.

MCL 257.5a et al. - Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

Please see FISCAL IMPACT on Senate Bill 625 (S-1).

Date Completed: 3-9-98 - Fiscal Analyst: K. Firestone

- E. Limbs

floor\sb627 - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.