LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas lawmakers have given final legislative approval to a change in the state’s driving while intoxicated law that’s intended to prevent the state from losing more than $50 million in federal highway funding.
The House on Thursday approved by an 80-2 vote a proposal to make DWI an offense for which prosecutors don’t have to prove intent. The measure would apply only to alcohol-related DWI offenses.
The measure now heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk.
The bill was proposed after the state Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that DWI is not a “strict scrutiny” offense where prosecutors don’t have to show intent. State highway officials have said the ruling threatened transportation funding that’s tied to the state’s DWI laws.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.