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.08 gets first approval from House

February 13, 2001
By: Aaron Cummins
State Capital Bureau
Links: HB 302

Missouri is one step closer to .08 after the House gave first-round approval to a bill that will lower the state's legal blood alcohol content for drivers. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City--

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OutCue: SOC

Currently, a driver in Missouri is over the legal limit at .10, but federal pressure has some lawmakers aiming to lower the limit.

Missouri will lose millions in federal highway construction money if it doesn't pass .08 legislation by 2003.

Bill sponsor Craig Hosmer says opponents of .08 have distorted facts in an effort to stall the bill.

Actuality:craig4.wav
RunTime: 13
OutCue:
Contents: Hosmer says .08 is equal to 4 or 5 beers in an hour on an empty stomach for an average man who weighs 175 pounds... he says opponents are trying to equate it to one beer.

But, opponents of the bill say that if .08 passes it will present new problems including more crowding in prisons.

The .08 bill faces a final vote in the House before going to the Senate for further debate.

In Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

.08 legislation received first-round approval from the Missouri House today/Tuesday, but not without opposition. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City--

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Before the House gave the initial go ahead to the bill that would lower Missouri's legal blood alcohol content limit .08 percent, an amendment was offered to lower the limit even further... to .05.

.08 opponent Don Lograsso sponsored the amendment.

Lograsso says .08 will only lead to calls for further drunk driving laws.

Actuality:don1
RunTime: 10
OutCue:
Contents: Lograsso says relatives of people killed by drivers between .06 and .08 will be the one's testifying before committees if .08 goes through.

But, the sponsor of the bill says the only people who would benefit from the .05 change would be the liquor industry... because it would kill the bill.

The amendment was voted down, and now the intact .08 bill faces a final vote in the House.

In Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

A plan to lower Missouri's legal blood alcohol level to .05 was rejected by the Missouri House. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City.

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OutCue: SOC

During debate on proposed .08 legislation an opponent of the bill offered an amendment to make the lower the limit even further to .05.

The sponsor of the original .08 bill is Craig Hosmer.

He says no groups that support .08 support .05.

Actuality:craig5
RunTime: 09
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Contents: Hosmer says the amendment would only benefit the liquor industry because it would kill the .08 bill.

The .05 amendment failed by a nearly 2 to 1 margin.

Now the original .08 bill faces a final vote in the House.

In Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.