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Committee backs amended DUI bill that eases first-offense penalty, tightens rules for high-BAC cases
Summary
The House Committee on Transportation voted to pass HB 1708 with an HD1 amendment that creates a graduated penalty structure for highly intoxicated driving: a misdemeanor for the first qualifying offense and a Class C felony for a second, while clarifying rules on deferred pleas and evidentiary warrants.
The House Committee on Transportation on Feb. 17 advanced HB 1708 with an HD1 amendment that changes how highly intoxicated driving is penalized. Lawmakers adopted the prosecutors’ HD1, which makes a first qualifying high-BAC offense a misdemeanor in certain circumstances and a second such offense a Class C felony, and clarifies whether DUIs are eligible for deferral or deferred pleas.
Supporters including Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney Kelvin Walden urged the change as a public-safety step. “Driving in that level demonstrates an extreme disregard for the safety of others and it puts everyone at risk,”…
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