Senate refuses request for free conference powers on comprehensive DUI bill

Senators spent more than an hour questioning details of S 52, a comprehensive DUI bill that would create new offense categories, allow blood draws for suspected drug impairment, and require drug‑recognition expert (DRE) training for certain officers.

Senator Hembree, presenting the conference work, said the bill is aimed at public safety and described six points requiring free conference—pilot programs for magistrate dockets, an extended training timeline for DREs through Dec. 31, 2029, and adjusted felony sentencing ranges. “This is a public safety bill,” he said.

Colleagues raised constitutional and operational concerns: whether blood draws would require a warrant, how rural agencies would staff DRE credentials, and how evidence and suppression issues would be handled. Supporters said the bill would create new enforcement tools and training; critics argued the DRE requirement and non‑warrant blood draw authority created legal and logistical pitfalls.

The Senate voted on a motion to grant free‑conference powers to the conferees. After roll call the clerk announced, “By a vote of 23 to 13, the Senate refuses to give the free conference powers.” The vote leaves the conferees without the special authority requested to finish unresolved points in private conference.