OWI reform on hold

MADISON - Meeting well into the wee hours of the morning was not enough to pass arguably the most important bill of the session, stiffening the state's drunken driving penalties.

"The Assembly was up until nearly four o'clock last night and wasn't really ready to take up the bill," said State Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer, D, Manitowoc.

The Democrat-controlled Assembly says the delay is because of differences between the Senate and Assembly bills on how to fund the tougher penalties.

The next scheduled session is not until January. Democratic leaders say they plan to bring the bill to a special session.

"They're hoping to bring us back before the end of the month," said Ziegelbauer.

Proposed changes include making a 4th OWI offense a felony.

Currently, it takes five. Also interlock devices that disable a vehicle if a driver has been drinking, would be required for all repeat offenders and on the first offense for those with a blood alcohol level of .15 or higher. That is nearly double the legal limit of .08.

There is overwhelming support on both sides of the aisle for OWI reform. However, some Assembly Republicans are not as optimistic a vote will happen soon.

"The public really deserves some action on this bill and I just sincerely hope the democrats are not playing games with this bill," said Rep. Al Ott, R, Forest Junction

Mothers Against Drunk Driving is also calling for a special session.

"There needs to be reform passed now because quite frankly the people of Wisconsin can't bare any more death and destruction," said MADD spokesperson Frank Harris.

But MADD says this would only be a first step.

Even if the current bill is approved, Wisconsin would still be the only state in the country where the first offense is a traffic offense and not a crime. It would be a crime if someone under age 16 is in the vehicle.

Governor Jim Doyle has said he supports the bill and will sign it into law if and when it passes.