1997-01-30                     Senate Journal                      Page 0178
SB 71                                                                        
My proposal for zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving               
was passed last year and is now in effect in addition to our use it,           
lose it law.  Under the zero tolerance law, a minors drivers license           
is revoked if the minor drives a vehicle after consuming any quantity          
of alcohol.  The use it, lose it law revokes a minors drivers                  
license if the minor possesses or consumes unlawful drugs or                   
alcohol, regardless of whether the minor was driving a vehicle at the          
time.  Both laws require the minor complete an education or                    
treatment program before the license may be reinstated.  However,              
there is currently no program for minors similar to the ASAP.                  
                                                                               
To fill this gap, this legislation proposes a program for minors that          
would be housed in the Department of Health and Social Services.               
The program would be funded with the fees charged for reinstating              
any drivers license that has been revoked.  This bill increases that           
fee for first-time offenders from $100 to $250 -- creating another             
deterrent to underage drinking and  drinking and driving for anyone,           
at any age.  The increased fee is expected to generate more than $1            
million which will easily cover the $605,000 cost of the youth                 
treatment program.                                                             
                                                                               
This bill to address the problem of underage drinking is an integral           
component of my package on the youth justice system and an                     
attempt to take an aggressive approach toward ending a growing                 
crisis in our state.                                                           
                                                                               
						Sincerely,                                                               
						/s/                                                                      
						Tony Knowles                                                             
						Governor                                                                 
                                                                               
SB 72                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 72 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: