SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 62

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DWI LEADERSHIP TEAM TO CONDUCT AN INVENTORY OF ALL DWI INITIATIVES IN PLACE AND MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.

     WHEREAS, under the leadership of the legislature, many measures have been enacted to address driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or DWI, in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has increased penalties for DWI, closed drive-up windows and required ignition interlock devices to be installed by all DWI offenders; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature has supported and increased DWI drug courts throughout the state and has mandated treatment by the corrections department for felony DWI offenders; and

     WHEREAS, public media campaigns have heightened awareness of the dangers and consequences of driving impaired; and

     WHEREAS, mothers against drunk driving recognizes the great strides New Mexico has made and, in its 2009 state progress report, ranks New Mexico as fifteenth in the country for significantly decreasing the number of deaths caused by drunk driving; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is facing difficult financial times, with drastic cuts in budgets and additional reductions contemplated; and

     WHEREAS, DWI impacts many areas of government, including district attorneys and law enforcement, the courts, probation and parole and the public defender department; and

     WHEREAS, corrections is a significant cost for the state and for local governments; and

     WHEREAS, ongoing revisions to DWI laws place additional responsibilities and require additional resources on budgets that are currently strained; and

     WHEREAS, the full impact of recent DWI law and policy changes has not yet manifested, and more time is needed to determine how best to increase the effectiveness of the measures already taken;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the DWI leadership team be requested to conduct an inventory of all the initiatives in place to address DWI, make an assessment of their effectiveness, identify any areas that require improvement and evaluate how to increase the effectiveness of existing laws and policies; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DWI leadership team report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate legislative interim committee no later than November 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the DWI leadership team.

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