State Lawmaker Seeks Restrictions on Colleagues Caught Consuming and Driving

An Inland Empire lawmaker introduced Wednesday that he’s proposing restrictions on state legislators’ use of taxpayer-funded automobiles in the event that they’re charged or convicted of driving underneath the affect.

Assemblyman Invoice Essayli, R-Norco, has launched Decision 51, which might mandate that any member of the Meeting who’s arrested and charged with DUI lose — till his or her case is resolved — the privilege of utilizing a “pool automobile” supplied for free of charge to lawmakers whereas they’re in Sacramento.

The decision would additionally require that an Meeting member be prohibited from entry to pool vehicles for no less than three years following a conviction.

“Final yr, over 1,000 Californians died because of drunk drivers,” Essayli mentioned. “After I was a prosecutor, I fought to maintain our roads protected by prosecuting and convicting drunk drivers. Now as a member of the Meeting, I’m troubled by latest incidents of legislators and candidates consuming and driving. Public officers should be held to the best requirements given the general public belief positioned in us, which is why I’ve launched Decision 51.”

The latest DUI arrest of a state lawmaker concerned state Sen. Dave Min, D-Irvine, in early Might. Min, who can also be operating for Congress, was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI in Sacramento after a California Freeway Patrol officer noticed him driving with out headlights in a Toyota Camry.

Min apologized publicly. The case is awaiting disposition.

Moms In opposition to Drunk Driving is supporting Essayli’s decision, which might develop on Rule 120 of the Standing Guidelines of the Meeting for the present fiscal yr. Rule 120 establishes that Meeting members be barred from receiving compensation within the occasion of a felony conviction of any form.

“MADD appreciates and helps your need to carry convicted DUI offenders who’re members of the state Meeting accountable by prohibiting them from working state pool automobiles,” the group mentioned in a letter to Essayli. “Limiting entry to state pool automobiles, along with requiring ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders, is not going to solely maintain elected officers accountable, however will result in much-needed change in driving conduct and decision-making that endangers California residents and guests day-after-day.”

Decision 51 is awaiting a listening to within the Meeting Guidelines Committee, which is able to reconvene on Aug. 14, following the Legislature’s summer season recess.

Metropolis Information Service contributed to this text.