Minnesota Lawmakers Pass .08 Law
The Minnesota General Assembly has passed a bill to lower the state's
drunk-driving standard from 0.10 percent blood-alcohol content to
0.08 percent beginning on Aug. 1, 2005, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press
reported March 16.
After a joint committee worked out differences, the Minnesota Senate
passed the measure with a 47-13 vote and the Minnesota House of
Representatives followed with a 105-26 vote.
Some lawmakers resisted the change, saying small counties and cities
don't have the resources to enforce the lower standard. The compromise
bill delays the law until 2005 to allow the legislature to find
money to address enforcement costs.
A spokesman for Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the governor has not indicated
whether he would sign the compromise bill into law.
If the bill becomes law, Delaware would be the only remaining state
with a 0.10 percent drunk-driving standard.
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