University Dally Kansan, February 12, 1981
Page 7
Morris bill tentatively approved
By GENE GEORGE Staff Reporter
The bill, proposed by State Sen. William Morris, R-Wichita, still passed on a weak voice vote when the Senate met as a committee of the whole.
A committee of the whole is a meeting of the entire body to discuss business, but no official action can be taken. Senate's official vote would send the bill to the House. That vote could come today.
TOPEKA--Supporters of a bill cracking down on minors who drink while driving fought off attempts to amend the measure yesterday. But their enthusiasm quickly waned when it came time to vote on the entire bill.
"Through the bill, we would be able to penalize the young drivers in the place dearest to them." Morris told fellow senators. "We would suspend those who violate traffic laws or the first conviction, and one year for the second and subsequent convictions."
The intent, Morris said, was to try to decrease the "disproportionate number of alcohol-related accidents" that involve people under 21.
Morris told senate members that the Norvell amendment would kill the bill because it would change the bill's intent.
Morris approved an amendment suggested by the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, which heard the bill last month. But he argued against two amendments offered on the Senate floor.
THE MORRIS BILL, supported by representatives on both sides of the
liquor issue, would impose a stiff penalty on people under 21 who are convicted of transporting open containers elk, elk 3.2 beer or alcohol on a state highway.
The Kansas Highway Patrol, favors the bill, had reported that drivers between 15 and 19 were involved in 16 percent of the alcohol-related accidents in which the driver was killed, he said.
"If you don't care anything more about the young people's lives than that," Morris told the senators, "you'll vote for the senator's amendment."
but Morris has a second bill pending in committee that would close that loonhole.
The committee amendment passed by the Senate would allow a judge to
grant limited use of a suspended license in an emergency.
The two amendments that failed would have made transporting an open container of either beer or alcohol illegal for anyone.
One of those amendments was offered by State Sen. James Norvell, D-Hays.
Morris said the bill would not change the present law imposing a $200 fine for a person over 21 convicted of transporting an open container of alcohol.
"If we are serious about getting the drunken driver off the road," Norvell said. "Let's add the whole problem."
1989. Norvell said drivers over 21 also contributed to the traffic problems in Kansas.
THE PATROL also found that young drivers were involved in 23 percent of alcohol-related accidents in which passengers were killed.
State Sen. Elwaine Pomeroy, R-Topeka, tried a similar amendment, but it also failed.
The Norvell amendment was defeated by a 15-12 vote.
STATE LAW now allows the transporting of 3.2 beer on a state highway,
Pomeroy wanted to change the bill so that it would make it illegal for all drivers to transport an open container under the license only for those under 18.
Morris, who said he did not want to prohibit passengers in recreational vehicles from drinking, urged the amendment's defeat.
Pomeroy's amendment was killed on a voice vote.
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