Committee hears bill to create aggravated vehicular homicide for very-high-BAC drivers (HB 267)

The House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on House Bill 267, a proposal to create an aggravated vehicular homicide offense for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher who cause a death, which sponsor Representative Braxton Mitchell said would carry a mandatory minimum three-year prison term and penalties up to about 30 years.

The bill’s fiscal note estimates a first-year general fund impact of about $134,000 — an estimate the sponsor and proponents said corresponds to roughly four additional incarcerations in fiscal 2026. Supporters told the committee they view the measure primarily as both a step toward stronger penalties for repeat or highly intoxicated drivers and a potential deterrent.

Representative Braxton Mitchell, sponsor (House District 5), told the committee, “This bill creates a aggravated vehicular homicide statute, meaning that anybody, in the 0.16 or higher, which is double…