HB0049

HOUSE BILL 49

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Stephanie Garcia Richard

AN ACT

RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS; INCREASING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR REMOVAL OF AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE BEFORE REINSTATEMENT OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE; PROVIDING THAT PERSONS WHO DO NOT OBTAIN AN IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE AND LICENSE SHALL BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN SOBRIETY; REQUIRING BREATHALYZER DEVICES; PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR BREATHALYZER DEVICES FROM THE INTERLOCK DEVICE FUND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

SECTION 1. Section 66-5-33.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1985, Chapter 47, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-5-33.1. REINSTATEMENT OF DRIVER'S LICENSE OR REGISTRATION--IGNITION INTERLOCK--SOBRIETY MONITORING--FEE.--

A. Whenever a driver's license or registration is suspended or revoked and an application has been made for its reinstatement, compliance with all appropriate provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code and the payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) is a prerequisite to the reinstatement of any license or registration.

B. If a driver's license was revoked for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, for aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or pursuant to the Implied Consent Act, the following are required to reinstate the driver's license: (1) an additional fee of seventy-five dollars ($75.00);

(2) completion of the license revocation period;

(3) satisfaction of any court-ordered ignition interlock or sobriety monitoring requirements; [and] (4) a minimum of six months of driving with an ignition interlock license with no attempts to circumvent or tamper with the ignition interlock device or a minimum of six months of successful participation in a court-ordered sobriety monitoring program;

(5) evidence that the ignition interlock or sobriety monitoring device has recorded no more than two tests at a level greater than five one hundredths alcohol concentration during the most recent six months of ignition interlock or sobriety monitoring prior to reinstatement of the unrestricted driver's license; and

(6) for a person with an ignition interlock device, evidence of at least twenty ignition interlock tests during those six months, administered at least one week apart.

C. The department may reinstate the driving privileges of an out-of-state resident without the requirement that the person obtain an ignition interlock license for a minimum of six months, if the following conditions are met:

(1) the license revocation period is completed;

(2) satisfactory proof is presented to the department that the person is no longer a resident of New Mexico; and

(3) the license reinstatement fee is paid.

D. Fees collected pursuant to Subsection B of this section are appropriated to the local governments road fund. The department shall maintain an accounting of the fees collected and shall report that amount upon request to the legislature."

SECTION 2. Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1953, Chapter 139, Section 54, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-102. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS--AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR OR DRUGS--PENALTIES.--

A. It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to drive a vehicle within this state.

B. It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle to drive a vehicle within this state.

C. It is unlawful for:

(1) a person to drive a vehicle in this state if the person has an alcohol concentration of eight one hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath within three hours of driving the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or while driving the vehicle; or

(2) a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle in this state if the person has an alcohol concentration of four one hundredths or more in the person's blood or breath within three hours of driving the commercial motor vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or while driving the vehicle.

D. Aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of:

(1) driving a vehicle in this state with an alcohol concentration of sixteen one hundredths or more in the driver's blood or breath within three hours of driving the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or while driving the vehicle;

(2) causing bodily injury to a human being as a result of the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or

(3) refusing to submit to chemical testing, as provided for in the Implied Consent Act, and in the judgment of the court, based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, the driver was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

E. A first conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation may extend beyond ninety days but shall not exceed one year. Upon a first conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be sentenced to not less than twenty-four hours of community service. In addition, the offender may be required to pay a fine of three hundred dollars ($300). The offender shall be ordered by the court to participate in and complete a screening program described in Subsection L of this section and to attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol or drugs, also known as a "DWI school", approved by the bureau and also may be required to participate in other rehabilitative services as the court shall determine to be necessary. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than forty-eight consecutive hours in jail. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court or fails to comply with any other condition of probation, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional forty-eight consecutive hours in jail. Any jail sentence imposed pursuant to this subsection for failure to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court or for aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. On a first conviction pursuant to this section, any time spent in jail for the offense prior to the conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed by the court. A deferred sentence pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the purpose of determining subsequent convictions.

F. A second or third conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-13 NMSA 1978, by imprisonment for not more than three hundred sixty-four days or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both; provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part, the period of probation may extend beyond one year but shall not exceed five years. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary for suspension or deferment of execution of a sentence:

(1) upon a second conviction, an offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than ninety-six consecutive hours, not less than forty-eight hours of community service and a fine of five hundred dollars ($500). In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than ninety-six consecutive hours. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional seven consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement; and

(2) upon a third conviction, an offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than thirty consecutive days, not less than ninety-six hours of community service and a fine of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750). In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than sixty consecutive days. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional sixty consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.

G. Upon a fourth conviction pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of eighteen months, six months of which shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

H. Upon a fifth conviction pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of two years, one year of which shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

I. Upon a sixth conviction pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a third degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of thirty months, eighteen months of which shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

J. Upon a seventh conviction pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a third degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three years, two years of which shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

K. Upon an eighth or subsequent conviction pursuant to this section, an offender is guilty of a second degree felony and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of twelve years, ten years of which shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

L. Upon any conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time specified by the court, an alcohol or drug abuse screening program approved by the department of finance and administration and, if necessary, a treatment program approved by the court. The requirement imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

M. Upon a second or third conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time specified by the court:

(1) not less than a twenty-eight-day inpatient, residential or in-custody substance abuse treatment program approved by the court;

(2) not less than a ninety-day outpatient treatment program approved by the court;

(3) a drug court program approved by the court; or

(4) any other substance abuse treatment program approved by the court.

The requirement imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.

N. Upon a felony conviction pursuant to this section, the corrections department shall provide substance abuse counseling and treatment to the offender in its custody. While the offender is on probation or parole under its supervision, the corrections department shall also provide substance abuse counseling and treatment to the offender or shall require the offender to obtain substance abuse counseling and treatment.

O. Upon a conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on all motor vehicles driven by the offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Unless determined by the bureau to be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with having an ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. The offender shall operate only those vehicles equipped with ignition interlock devices for:

(1) a period of one year, for a first offender;

(2) a period of two years, for a second conviction pursuant to this section;

(3) a period of three years, for a third conviction pursuant to this section; or

(4) the remainder of the offender's life, for a fourth or subsequent conviction pursuant to this section.

P. Five years from the date of conviction and every five years thereafter, a fourth or subsequent offender may apply to a district court for removal of the ignition interlock device requirement provided in this section and for restoration of a driver's license. A district court may, for good cause shown, remove the ignition interlock device requirement and order restoration of the license; provided that the offender has not been subsequently convicted of driving a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Good cause may include an alcohol screening and proof from the interlock vendor that the person has not had violations of the interlock device.

Q. An offender who obtains an ignition interlock license and installs an ignition interlock device prior to conviction shall be given credit at sentencing for the time period the ignition interlock device has been in use.

R. An offender who has not installed an ignition interlock device and has not obtained an ignition interlock license shall be required to maintain sobriety and to participate in a court-approved sobriety monitoring program for the same period as the ignition interlock requirement in Subsection O of this section or until the end of the period of supervision by the court in the matter, whichever is shorter. The court-approved sobriety monitoring program may include the use of a breathalyzer device that identifies the person giving the sample, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Sobriety shall be monitored at least twice daily. After twelve months of monitored sobriety, the court may reduce the frequency of monitoring. Failure to maintain sobriety or to comply with the monitoring program may result in a jail term of forty-eight hours for each failure to maintain sobriety or to comply with the monitoring program. Unless determined by the bureau to be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with sobriety monitoring. Upon the offender installing an ignition interlock device and obtaining an ignition interlock license, the court may suspend the sobriety maintenance and monitoring requirements. The time spent successfully maintaining sobriety shall be credited toward the time required in Subsection O of this section to have the ignition interlock device and license and shall be credited to the six-month interlock requirement pursuant to Section 66-5-33.1 NMSA 1978.

[R.] S. In the case of a first, second or third offense under this section, the magistrate court has concurrent jurisdiction with district courts to try the offender.

[S.] T. A conviction pursuant to a municipal or county ordinance in New Mexico or a law of any other jurisdiction, territory or possession of the United States or of a tribe, when that ordinance or law is equivalent to New Mexico law for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, and prescribes penalties for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, shall be deemed to be a conviction pursuant to this section for purposes of determining whether a conviction is a second or subsequent conviction.

[T.] U. In addition to any other fine or fee that may be imposed pursuant to the conviction or other disposition of the offense under this section, the court may order the offender to pay the costs of any court-ordered screening and treatment programs.

[U.] V. With respect to this section and notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if an offender's sentence was suspended or deferred in whole or in part and the offender violates any condition of probation, the court may impose any sentence that the court could have originally imposed and credit shall not be given for time served by the offender on probation.

[V.] W. As used in this section:

(1) "bodily injury" means an injury to a person that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body; and

(2) "commercial motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:

(a) has a gross combination weight rating of more than twenty-six thousand pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than ten thousand pounds;

(b) has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than twenty-six thousand pounds;

(d) is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials, which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under applicable law."

SECTION 3. Section 66-8-102.3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2002, Chapter 82, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

"66-8-102.3. IMPOSING A FEE--INTERLOCK DEVICE FUND CREATED.--

A. A fee is imposed on a person convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in violation of Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 or adjudicated as a delinquent on the basis of Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of Section 32A-2-3 NMSA 1978 or a person whose driver's license is revoked pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act, in an amount determined by rule of the [traffic safety] bureau [of the department of transportation] not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) but not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) for each year the person is required to operate only vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device or to use a breathalyzer device in order to ensure the solvency of the interlock device fund. The fee shall not be imposed on an indigent person.

B. The "interlock device fund" is created in the state treasury. The fee imposed pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall be collected by the motor vehicle division of the [taxation and revenue] department and deposited in the interlock device fund.

C. All money in the interlock device fund is appropriated to the [traffic safety] bureau [of the department of transportation] to cover part of the costs of installing, removing and leasing ignition interlock devices or leasing breathalyzer devices for indigent people who are required, pursuant to convictions under Section 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 or adjudications on the basis of Subparagraph (a) of Paragraph (1) of Subsection A of Section 32A-2-3 NMSA 1978 or driver's license revocations pursuant to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act or as a condition of parole, to install [those] ignition interlock devices in their vehicles or to use a breathalyzer device. Provided that money is available in the interlock device fund, the [traffic safety] bureau shall pay:

(1) for one vehicle per offender, up to fifty dollars ($50.00) for the cost of installation, up to fifty dollars ($50.00) for the cost of removal and up to thirty dollars ($30.00) monthly for verified active usage of the interlock device; or

(2) up to thirty dollars ($30.00) monthly toward the lease and use of a breathalyzer device.

D. The [traffic safety] bureau shall not pay any amount above what an offender would be required to pay for the installation, removal or usage of an interlock device or for the lease of a breathalyzer device.

[D.] E. Indigency shall be determined by the [traffic safety] bureau based on proof of enrollment in one or more of the following types of public assistance:

(1) temporary assistance for needy families;

(2) general assistance;

(3) the supplemental [nutritional] nutrition assistance program, also known as "food stamps";

(4) supplemental security income;

(5) the federal food distribution program on Indian reservations; or

(6) other criteria approved by the [traffic safety] bureau.

[E.] F. Any balance remaining in the interlock device fund shall not revert to the general fund at the end of any fiscal year.

[F.] G. The interlock device fund shall be administered by the [traffic safety] bureau [of the department of transportation]. No more than ten percent of the money in the interlock device fund in any fiscal year shall be expended by the [traffic safety] bureau [of the department of transportation] for the purpose of administering the fund."

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2017.

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