Title
Resolution supporting passage of Wisconsin State Legislature 2019 Assembly Bill 18 relating to penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, including making the first offense a criminal offense.
Body
WHEREAS, 2019 Assembly Bill 18 was introduced by State Representative Jim Ott and State Senator Alberta Darling with the intention of stopping operating while intoxicated; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin is the only state in which first offense Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) is not a criminal offense; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that alcohol remains the single greatest contributing cause of fatal crashes; and
WHEREAS, a first offense OWI is currently treated as a civil forfeiture, unless there was a minor passenger under the age of 16 at the time of the offense, in which case the first offense is treated as a criminal misdemeanor; and
WHEREAS, 2019 Assembly Bill 18 makes all first offense OWI convictions a class C misdemeanor with a potential fine of up to $500, jail time up to 30 days, or both; and
WHEREAS, under 2019 Assembly Bill 18, similar to provisions included in 2019 Assembly Bill 15, eliminates the current ten year look-back and second offense OWI will be a criminal misdemeanor regardless of when it took place; and
WHEREAS, under 2019 Assembly Bill 18 a person convicted of a first offense OWI who does not commit any other OWI related offenses within a five year period after the conviction, may petition the court to vacate the criminal conviction and amend the record to a civil violation; and
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of West Allis supports the passage of 2019 Assembly Bill 18 relating to penalties for offenses related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council of West Allis requests the Wisconsin State Legislature to strengthen drunk driving laws, while offering a second chance to those who do not reoffend within five years;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be provided to the City’s two State Senator’s, three State Representatives, Governor Evers, the chair(s) of the appropriate committee(s) where 2019 Assembly Bill 18 is assigned, and the Wisconsin League of Municipalities.