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Utah House debates lowering BAC to 0.04 for some drivers; measure initially fails, later circled for amendment
Summary
Representative Wendy Stevens pushed a move to lower certain blood-alcohol limits to 0.04 and to add a repeat-offender pathway; supporters cited studies and life‑saving potential, while law‑enforcement and prosecutors warned of enforcement and prosecutorial problems. The House first voted the bill down, later voted to reconsider and circled a first-substitute for further review.
Representative Wendy Stevens introduced House Bill 65 to lower some legal blood-alcohol thresholds — proposing a general per-se limit of 0.04 in several code sections, and a targeted amendment that would treat a subsequent offender who blows 0.04 or higher as eligible for DUI conviction. Stevens said the change is preventive, citing national studies and a fiscal note estimating $332,900 in costs related to implementation and enforcement changes.
The bill’s backers framed the measure as an injury‑prevention initiative. "This is not an anti‑drinking law. It's an anti‑dying law," Stevens said, urging colleagues that lower limits and clearer penalties deter impaired drivers and save lives. She cited…
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