SB 379

Under current law, a person who violates state law or a local ordinance

prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of an

intoxicant or with a prohibited blood alcohol concentration is subject to having his

or her operating privileges suspended or revoked. The duration of the suspension or

revocation generally depends upon how many times the person has violated the state

law or local ordinance and ranges from six months to three years. A person's period

of revocation may be doubled for certain violations.

This bill prohibits a person whose operating privileges have been suspended or

revoked for a violation relating to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated from

purchasing or leasing a motor vehicle while his or her operating privileges are

suspended or revoked. Under the bill, if a person whose operating privileges have

been suspended or revoked has an occupational license, that person may purchase

or lease a motor vehicle as long as the occupational license is in effect. A person who

purchases or leases a motor vehicle in violation of the prohibition is guilty of a Class

I felony and subject to a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to three years and

six months, or both.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.