As if there aren’t already enough challenges for the alcohol beverage industry. A Senate bill to lower the legal blood alcohol limit (BAC) for operating a car or watercraft from 0.08 to 0.05 has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature and will head to a committee hearing on Friday.
The bill would also establish a public interest campaign to inform the public of the change to the driving under the influence laws and requires the Washington Institute of Public Policy to evaluate the impacts of the change to the driving under the influence laws.
The bill is scheduled to be heard by the Law & Justice Committee this Friday. If passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.
Various states including California and Hawaii have had similar legislation introduced in recent years but were voted down by the legislature. Utah is the only state which has lowered the BAC to 0.05. Traffic accidents have gone up since Utah lowered passed the lower limit in 2018.
Those opposed to the bill include Washington Hospitality Association, Washington Wine Institute, Washington Brewers Guild, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Washington Defender Association.
A copy of Senate Bill 5067 report here.