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House approves higher state lab screening fee tied to DUI license reinstatement amid member concerns
Summary
First substitute HB291 passed the House 66–4 after the sponsor said it raises a driver's‑license reinstatement screening fee (listed in the bill from $40 to $100) to cover State Lab costs; critics argued the fee structure charges some people who never had blood drawn.
Representative Menlove said the bill updates fees charged to cover the costs of State Lab screenings performed after blood is drawn in suspected DUI arrests. He explained the proposal increases a screening fee (noted on line 122 of the bill) from $40 to $100 to match lab costs and directs more of the fund to toxicology so the lab's operations are supported by the users of the service rather than general taxpayers.
Representative Green objected to the structure and the size of the increase. He said many people who are charged the reinstatement fee never actually had blood drawn or lab screening performed and that “it increases that cost 250%” for some people. Green argued matching fee to the actual service is better handled through the courts and sentencing process rather than charging a blanket reinstatement fee. Representative Tanner sought clarification about specific fee lines and increases and Representative Moss asked about the fiscal note, which the sponsor said is on the original bill but not clearly posted on the substitute.
The sponsor said he met with public safety and the Driver License Division and that routing the fee through public safety would not deliver the same revenue to the State Lab; he said placing the fee where the lab receives it is the most practical way to match cost and revenue. After debate, the House passed the first substitute to HB291 by a vote of 66 yes and 4 no, and the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
