HB 271 - DUI PENALTIES  1:09:00 PM VICE CHAIR DAHLSTROM announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 271, "An Act relating to the offenses of driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, inhalant, or controlled substance and refusal to submit to a chemical test." 1:09:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HAWKER, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, explained that HB 271 is intended to address people's concerns about repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. One concern centers on the fact that DUI offenders who have their vehicles impounded as a result of the DUI can just reclaim their vehicle and drive away. The bill would require, via court order, that any such vehicle be equipped with an ignition interlock device before it can be taken out of impound by the DUI offender and that the DUI offender be prohibited from driving any vehicle that doesn't have an ignition interlock device, and would amend the repeat [DUI] offender [and repeat refusal to take a chemical test] statutes such that second and subsequent offenses within 10 years would trigger those felony provisions that are currently triggered by third and subsequent offenses within 10 years. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO offered his understanding that ignition interlock devices have been effective, and that research from other states indicates that immediate incarceration for a DUI does have an effect on DUI recidivism rates. He observed that the [Department of Corrections' (DOC's)] fiscal note estimates a cost of $7 million [for the implementation of Section 2 of HB 271], and mentioned that members' packets now include a proposed amendment, labeled 26-LS1271\R.1, Luckhaupt, 1/29/10, which read: Page 1, following line 3: Insert a new bill section to read:  "* Section 1. AS 12.25.180(a) is amended to read: (a) When a person is stopped or contacted by a peace officer for the commission of a misdemeanor or the violation of a municipal ordinance, the person may, in the discretion of the contacting peace officer, be issued a citation instead of being taken before a judge or magistrate under AS 12.25.150, unless (1) the person does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; (2) the contacting officer has reasonable and probable cause to believe the person is a danger to self or others; (3) the crime for which the person is contacted is one involving violence or harm to another person or to property; (4) the person asks to be taken before a judge or magistrate under AS 12.25.150; [OR] (5) the peace officer has probable cause to believe the person committed a crime involving domestic violence; in this paragraph, "crime involving domestic violence" has the meaning given in AS 18.66.990; or  (6) the crime for which the person is  contacted is a violation of AS 28.33.030, 28.33.031,  AS 28.35.030, or 28.35.032." Page 1, line 4: Delete "Section 1" Insert "Sec. 2" Renumber the following bill sections accordingly. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER noted that current law requires certain DUI offenders to use an ignition interlock device in order to regain driving privileges after conviction, whereas the bill is proposing to require released DUI offenders to use an ignition interlock device prior to their trial - prior to conviction. He offered his understanding that current law already provides for immediate incarceration. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES concurred that DUI crimes are a huge problem in Alaska, particularly on the Seward Highway. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER noted that a felony DUI conviction results in the DUI offender having his/her driving privileges permanently revoked. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether Legislative Legal and Research Services has issued an opinion, either formal or informal, regarding the constitutionality of the bill. 1:22:00 PM JULI LUCKY, Staff, Representative Mike Hawker, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of the sponsor, Representative Hawker, said that although a formal legal opinion was requested, the sponsor hasn't received one, but discussions with the drafter indicate that there is no definitive answer, even on the issue of whether the use of ignition interlock devices can be required prior to conviction. In response to a question, she agreed to submit a written request for a formal legal opinion. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG remarked that it was that issue - whether it's constitutional to require something that would be an element of the punishment phase, "before they've even been charged" - which concerned him. He asked whether any other potential constitutional issues were addressed in discussions with the drafter. MS. LUCKY said no, and offered her understanding that some other states do require the use of ignition interlock devices before conviction, but she is unfamiliar with whether there have been any constitutional challenges to such laws. She mentioned that she is researching that issue further, though, and so would provide information to the committee as soon as it's available. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG, referring to Section 2, asked whether any constitutional issues have arisen with regard to permanently revoking someone's driving privileges for a second DUI, specifically whether doing so would constitute cruel and unusual punishment. MS. LUCKY said that issue has not yet been raised by the drafter, and offered to research that point further. She noted that some states and the [United States Virgin Islands] do make a second DUI conviction a felony, though she is not sure whether those laws have been challenged; that issue is being researched further as well. In response to questions, comments, and a request, she agreed to conduct further research regarding any potential constitutional problems with the bill, adding that it is the sponsor's intent to have any such issues put on the table for members to discuss. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES expressed interest in receiving any statistics illustrating that those who get stopped for DUI are then reoffending before they go to trial for the initial offense. REPRESENTATIVE HAWKER said that sort of analysis did not enter into his consideration of the bill; instead, he is bringing HB 271 forward at the request of his constituents, who feel threatened by [repeat DUI offenders]. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked that the aforementioned proposed amendment be labeled. VICE CHAIR DAHLSTROM expressed a preference for not doing so at this time because there could be other forthcoming amendments that need to be addressed first. 1:30:35 PM JOSEPH A. MASTERS, Commissioner, Department of Public Safety (DPS), relayed that although the DPS has not yet had much time to review HB 271, the issue of highway safety is an important one for the DPS and deserves serious attention from everyone. He noted that the DPS is currently arresting approximately 6,300 people yearly for DUI; that in 2007, 2008, and 2009, 43 percent, 45 percent, and 25 percent, respectively, of fatal crashes were alcohol related; that over a 10-year period, there were 44,238 motor vehicle accidents, with 454 being fatal, 8,888 involving injuries, and 2,900 caused by multiple-DUI offenders; that of those 2,900 motor vehicle accidents, 92 were fatal and 1,024 involved injuries. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO expressed interest in receiving statistics illustrating the link between DUI offenders, and - in terms of their alcohol consumption - sex offenders and domestic violence (DV) perpetrators. COMMISSIONER MASTERS agreed to attempt to compile such information, but cautioned that it might not be possible given the current capability of the DPS's database system. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked how [Section 1] would work in areas of the state where ignition interlock devices are not available. COMMISSIONER MASTERS said the DPS is already investigating that issue, and indicated that Lieutenant Dial could address it further. In response to other questions, he said that according to his experience, very, very few people who are stopped for a possible DUI actually refuse to submit to a chemical test; and indicated that there are several ways for law enforcement to determine a person's sobriety or lack thereof when he/she is stopped for a possible DUI. REPRESENTATIVE HOLMES expressed interest in receiving statistics illustrating the percentage of first-time DUI offenders who never reoffend again, the percentage of second-time DUI offenders who never then reoffend again, and the percentage of DUI offenders who simply continue to reoffend. COMMISSIONER MASTERS indicated that he would attempt to provide such statistics, as well as any other information requested by the committee. 1:43:01 PM RODNEY DIAL, Lieutenant, Deputy Commander, A Detachment, Division of Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety (DPS), expressed concern with Section 1's proposed AS 12.30.022(2) in that vehicle impound policies vary across the state, and so this provision would have different effects in different parts of the state; in that the wait time for the installation of ignition interlock devices also varies across the state, and so this provision could result in some vehicles being left in impound accruing more daily impound fees, perhaps accruing to an amount greater than the value of the vehicle; and in that because a vehicle can't be released until it has an ignition interlock device installed, that installation could cost more because it might have to occur in the impound lot. In response to an earlier question, he mentioned that his research indicates that ignition interlock devices can be installed in all parts of Alaska, though the wait times, installation costs, and difficulties with installation will vary depending on the location. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO questioned whether a first-time DUI offender's vehicle could simply be taken to his/her own property instead of to an impound lot. VICE CHAIR DAHLSTROM pointed out that if one of her family members were to be struck by a DUI offender, she would have great concern if the DUI offender still had easy access to his/her vehicle. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN, in response to comments, asked whether [Section 1] could be altered such that DUI offenders living in smaller communities could be treated differently than those living in larger communities. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG predicted that an equal protection issue would then have to be addressed. COMMISSIONER MASTERS surmised that someone other than himself could better address that point. REPRESENTATIVE GATTO offered his understanding that under current law, people in remote locations are already exempted from having to install an ignition interlock device. REPRESENTATIVE HERRON indicated that in his district, because of a lack of storage space, the local impound company refuses to accept every vehicle that's impounded. 1:54:34 PM LIEUTENANT DIAL in response to a question, explained that when a person is arrested for DUI, he/she is asked to take a breathalyzer test - generally via DataMaster equipment- but if he/she refuses, law enforcement informs him/her that he/she would also be charged with the crime of refusal to take a chemical test. Those arrested for DUI have the right to obtain, at their own expense, an independent test of their intoxication levels - this currently involves a blood test. In response to another question, he explained that modern breathalyzers undergo "failsafe checks" both before and after a test is administered, and are frequently, routinely calibrated, and are thus very accurate. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether proposed AS 12.30.022(2) would apply to a vehicle that the DUI offender was driving but neither owned nor had registered in his/her name. He also asked what occurs now in situations involving a family vehicle. LIEUTENANT DIAL, on the latter question, explained that as of January 2009, courts have been requiring those convicted of DUI to install an ignition interlock devise on every vehicle he/she owns - even work vehicles - though currently there is no way to verify that such has occurred. 2:00:34 PM DOUGLAS MOODY, Deputy Director, Criminal Division, Central Office, Public Defender Agency (PDA), Department of Administration (DOA), in response to a question, indicated that he'd not considered there being any due process problems with Section 1, and noted that the courts have broad leeway with regard to setting bail restrictions. 2:03:42 PM WINDY HANNAMAN, Deputy Director, Anchorage Office, Office of Public Advocacy (OPA), Department of Administration (DOA), in response to comments, agreed to research the aforementioned issues as well. 2:05:09 PM KERRY HENNINGS, Manager, Driver Licensing, Director's Office, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Administration (DOA), in response to questions, said that there is a provision in law that allows the DMV, when there is a court order, to indicate on a person's driver's license that he/she must use an ignition interlock device; that the DMV does this automatically when it receives notice from the court; and that when such a person comes into the DMV to reinstate his/her driving privileges, he/she is required to show proof of installation. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered his understanding that the Alaska Court System (ACS) is too understaffed to provide such notice, and questioned whether the bill should have a provision added that would require the DUI offender himself/herself to notify the DMV that he/she must use an ignition interlock device. MS. HENNINGS offered her belief that many DUI offenders are already out of compliance with their court-ordered ignition interlock device installation requirements, and predicted that such people could not be relied upon to notify the DMV that they have such requirements; without notification from the courts, the DMV would be unable to place a restriction on a person's driver's license, and law enforcement, as a result, would have no indication that the person is required to use an ignition interlock device. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG characterized the placing of such a restriction on a DUI offender's driver's license as important. LIEUTENANT DIAL clarified that because the court is currently required to notify the DMV within five business days that the person must use an ignition interlock device, that notification information is reflected in the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN), which law enforcement accesses when pulling the person over; if the person is found to be out of compliance, he/she is then charged with violating a court order. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether a car rental agency in another state, for example, would have any way of knowing that a customer from Alaska is required to use an ignition interlock device. MS. HENNINGS said that any such restrictions are defined on the back of the person's driver's license, but acknowledged that it would be up to the rental car agency to scrutinize the person's driver's license carefully. 2:11:48 PM RICHARD SVOBODNY, Deputy Attorney General, Central Office, Criminal Division, Department of Law (DOL), in response to earlier questions, indicated that proposed AS 12.30.022(2) would not apply to a vehicle that the DUI offender was driving but neither owned nor had registered in his/her name; and that Section 1 would not be a violation of due process, and would not constitute a potential equal protection violation, because it is a privilege to drive and not a right. The court currently has the authority to prohibit a person from driving at all, and that's more onerous, he opined, than simply telling a DUI offender that he/she can only drive a car that has an ignition interlock device. In conclusion, he characterized Section 1 as constitutional. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked whether a vehicle could be searched once it's been impounded by law enforcement. MR. SVOBODNY noted that "impound" searches already occur and are meant to protect law enforcement from accusations of theft. In response to a further question, he surmised that the bill is not intended to force the company installing an ignition interlock device to do that installation without the DUI offender's permission. VICE CHAIR DAHLSTROM offered her understanding that that is not the intention of the sponsor, either. REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG surmised, then, that [proposed AS 12.30.022(2)] is not requiring a particular company to install an ignition interlock device, but is instead just granting the court the authority to prohibit an impound agency from returning a motor vehicle to a DUI offender until an ignition interlock device is installed. MR. SVOBODNY concurred, but noted that currently there is no criminal sanction for violating such a prohibition. 2:20:57 PM MS. LUCKY, with regard to an issue raised earlier, noted that a previous iteration of the bill would have required that an ignition interlock device be installed on any vehicle involved in a DUI offense regardless of who owned the vehicle, but the drafter had expressed constitutional concerns with such a requirement, and so as currently written, [proposed AS 12.30.022(2)] would not apply to a vehicle that the DUI offender was driving but neither owned nor had registered in his/her name. With regard to a point made earlier, she noted that the DMV has compiled a list of areas of the state where the installation of an ignition interlock device is not required in order to comply with existing law, but explained that this type of exemption wouldn't apply under HB 271 because [Section 1] is simply setting conditions of bail. On the question of whether installation would occur at the impound lot, she relayed that it's not the sponsor's intent that vehicles would be left in impound until installation occurs, but rather that vehicles would be released upon proof that the DUI offender intends to install an ignition interlock device, and so the committee might wish to add language regarding what would constitute sufficient proof; without such additional language, the onus would be on the impound company to keep the car and deal with any civil liability associated with the car, and that's not the intent of the sponsor. House Bill 271 is a basic bill, a starting point for discussion purposes. MS. LUCKY pointed out that existing law regarding ignition interlock devices provides that the [DUI] fines imposed upon conviction may be reduced [in order to allow the offender] to pay for the device, but there is not a similar reduction under HB 271 because [fines don't accrue until after conviction], and the bill, again, is addressing conditions of bail; the question of whether the courts have the authority to reduce the amount of bail [in order to allow the offender to pay for the device], however, is something she would be researching further. There has also been a concern expressed about requiring the use of an ignition interlock device on a first offense as a condition of bail, but since the sponsor's intent is to target repeat DUI offenders, the committee might wish to consider whether that provision should be altered to apply only on a second or subsequent offense. Such a change could reduce potential problems regarding impound, she surmised, since according to her understanding, the majority of [first-time] DUI offenders do not go on to reoffend a second time. Furthermore, if [Section 1 were changed such that it] only applied to those who reoffend, it could mitigate constitutional concerns because the court could show that the proposed conditions of bail were warranted in order to protect the community from those who've demonstrated a propensity for continuing to drink and drive. VICE CHAIR DAHLSTROM relayed that HB 271 would be held over.