Two DUI bills wanted by a special gubernatorial commission were passed by the House Thursday, but only after one was criticized for being too easy on drunken drivers.
HB196 by Rep. Lamont Tyler, R-East Millcreek, would require court-supervised probation for DUI offenders in three instances: When the offender had a high blood alcohol reading of 0.16; with a second DUI offense within six years; and a DUI involving a drug other than alcohol. It passed with no debate.
However, HB200 had some detractors.
It would waive the $100 ignition interlock fee for indigent DUI offenders. The interlock device is a Breathalyzer and ignition lock. Only drivers who pass the Breathalyzer test can he start the car.
Some indigent DUIs can't afford all the costs of their probation, including the interlock device, and so get around the law and drive drunk anyway. HB200 would waive the fee and reallocate the $100 cost to DUI offenders who can afford it.
Rep. Don Bush, R-Clearfield, said: "Who decides who is indigent? If they can drive a car and afford to drink, why are they indigent?"
The court decides that, said Tyler, who added that he's wondered the same thing. But it's a matter of public safety, he said, and HB200 eventually passed 58-14.