The proposed General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1376 seeks to amend existing laws regarding blood alcohol content (BAC) limits for impaired driving and boating. The bill lowers the BAC threshold for general motor vehicle operation from eight-hundredths to five-hundredths of one percent, while maintaining the limit for commercial motor vehicles at four-hundredths of one percent and establishing a limit of two-hundredths of one percent for individuals under twenty-one years of age. These changes will be reflected in various sections of the law, including those related to motor vehicles, school buses, and vessels, and are set to take effect on January 2, 2026. In addition to the BAC adjustments, the bill introduces provisions for police phlebotomy training and the exploration of electronic warrant technology for DUI offenses. It emphasizes the need for advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement and drug influence evaluations by certified experts. The legislation also requires that any subsequent BAC test showing a level of five-hundredths or less must be supported by evidence demonstrating the accuracy of the test results. The overall goal of the bill is to enhance public safety by lowering permissible BAC levels and improving law enforcement's ability to address impaired driving and boating effectively.

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