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A House Committee Adopts a Watered Down Drunk Driving Bill

Legislation changing the state's drunk driving laws suffers a setback.

Missy Shelton has more on this story from Jefferson City.

The same committee that approved a tough drunk driving bill earlier this year, reversed itself Monday.

The House Civil Law committee adopted a substitute bill that doesn't toughen penalties for driving with excessive blood alcohol levels or open containers.

Springfield representative Craig Hosmer who chairs the committee says without those provisions, the state loses federal money.

Actuality:Hosmer1
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Contents: Hosmer says the substitute bill doesn't bring the state into compliance with federal law.[99K WAV file - Hosmer1]

Hosmer says he's disappointed with the committee's actions.

But he says he's not giving up hope.

Actuality:Hosmer2
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OutCue:
Contents: Hosmer says he'll try to put the open container and excessive blood alcohol provisions back into the bill when it comes to the floor for debate so the entire House can vote on those issues.[302K WAV file - Hosmer2]

The watered down drunk driving legislation now moves to the House for debate with less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session.

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