SENATE MEMORIAL 65

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A MEMORIAL

ENCOURAGING CREATION OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DWI DRUNK PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY.

     WHEREAS, the legislature continues to be concerned with New Mexico's persistent high rate of DWI incidents; and

     WHEREAS, the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department may be able to provide staffing and convene a task force to research and resolve several specific issues related to reducing the rates of DWI incidents on New Mexico's roads and highways; and

     WHEREAS, such a task force could benefit the state through a study of the feasibility of implementing DWI drunk prevention technology, using driver's licenses to register electronically the amount and type of alcoholic liquor purchased by the holder of a driver's license from a business that sells or serves alcohol; and

     WHEREAS, as part of the study the task force should review and assess other states' existing DWI drunk prevention technology compared with New Mexico's; and

     WHEREAS, the task force could also determine the fiscal impact, including the impact on applicable insurance rates, resulting from implementation of new DWI drunk prevention technology, including the impact on state and local government law enforcement and regulatory agencies, on businesses that sell or serve alcohol to the public and on New Mexico residents; and

     WHEREAS, the task force could also collaborate with the taxation and revenue department to review incentives the state could provide to liquor licensees to implement DWI drunk prevention technology;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department be encouraged to contract for technological assistance and expertise to create and staff a task force on the feasibility of implementing DWI drunk prevention technology in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be chaired by the director of the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department or the director's designee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the task force be encouraged to include on the task force the director of the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department or the director's designee, the chief of the traffic safety bureau of the department of transportation, the secretary of public safety or the secretary's designee, a representative of the New Mexico sheriffs' and police associations and seven members appointed by the governor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be encouraged to appoint seven task force members, among them at least one representative from the New Mexico restaurant association, the New Mexico retail association, mothers against drunk driving and the New Mexico DWI resource center; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the alcohol and gaming division of the regulation and licensing department, the chief of the traffic safety bureau of the department of transportation, the secretary of public safety, the New Mexico sheriffs' association and New Mexico police association and the governor.

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