LANSING —  On May 9, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a pair of public safety bills that will maintain the State’s current drunk driving standards and sentencing guidelines. 

HB 4093, sponsored by State Representative Andrea LaFontaine, maintains the existing drunk driving standard of 0.08 percent blood alcohol content (BAC) until October 1, 2018. That BAC standard was scheduled to go up to 0.10 percent in October. It also would maintain a 0.04 BAC standard, for drivers of commercial vehicles and a “zero tolerance” standard of 0.02 BAC, for those under the age of 21. 

HB 4131, sponsored by State Representative Klint Kesto, keeps existing sentencing guidelines in place for those convicted of exceeding the State’s BAC limits. Both bills are now Public Acts 23 and 24 of 2013. 

Snyder said that the bills send a clear message that Michigan is serious about stopping drunk driving and supporting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the courts to protect public safety. 

For more information on the legislation, visit michiganlegislature.org.