posted by: Jeffrey Wolf | Web Producer
written by: Adam Schrager | 9NEWS Reporter
created: 2/20/2007 4:38:12 PM
Last updated: 2/20/2007 4:40:19 PM
DENVER - State lawmakers rejected a measure Tuesday that would have made it a felony for anyone convicted of drunk driving who did not have a license or car insurance at the time of the crime.
House Bill 1226 failed on a 9 to 2 vote in the House Judiciary Committee after lawmakers worried about its unintended consequences such as making a felon out of someone who couldn't afford car insurance.
"As House Bill 1226 is drafted, I think it's overly broad," said Rep. Terrance Carroll (D-Denver, Chairman of Judiciary Committee). "I just have a hard time getting my hands around making it a Class 6 felony for simply not having insurance. We all know we have an insurance problem in this state."
Budget analysts estimated the bill would lead to a total of "at least 10,190 felony cases," which are currently filed as misdemeanors. That would cost the state $24,197,658 to implement including the hiring of 85 full-time employees. Supporters say it was worth the cost.
"Even at this expense, it's worth it to save lives," said Rep. Kent Lambert (R-Colorado Springs), who sponsored the measure. "What we ought to do is try to get drunk drivers off the street and so far, frankly, I think education and citizen awareness may be very good, but it hasn't solved the problem."
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, numerous states such as Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa and West Virginia have enhanced penalties for drunk drivers who don't have a valid license. Only Kentucky has a law that makes it a felony and that is only in special cases of repeat offenders.
A commission to study the issue was formed by state lawmakers last year.
To learn more about House Bill 1226, you can click here.
