WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NOW PAST THE HALF-WAY POINT, IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR A BILL TOUGHENING UP NEW MEXICO'S DWI LAWS. A HOUSE COMMITTEE HAS TABLED THE MEASURE…AND ONE OF ITS SPONSORS SAYS SHE'S STUNNED BY THE MOVE SINCE THE FULL HOUSE PASSED IT UNANIMOUSLY LAST YEAR.
BUT DEMOCRAT LIZ THOMSON OF ALBUQUERQUE SAYS SHE'S NOT READY TO GIVE UP. SHE SAYS THEY'RE WORKING ON AN ALTERNATIVE TO KEEP THE BILL ON WHAT SHE CALLS "LIFE SUPPORT."
THE BILL INCREASES PRISON SENTENCES FOR FOURTH AND SUBSEQUENT DWI OFFENSES FROM 18 MONTHS TO 30 MONTHS IN PRISON…AND ALSO FINE-TUNES THE IGNITION INTERLOCK PROVISION.
