[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6363986,"mediaKeyId","2165469-40bbb330366e8a00822bc56e67fce8b4","parentId",2165469,"title","Transportation Committee approves drafting of multiple raised concepts and committee bills; changes of reference set","audioSeconds",1955,"startMs",397000,"endMs",2352000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165469-40bbb330366e8a00822bc56e67fce8b4&start=397&end=2352","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165469-40bbb330366e8a00822bc56e67fce8b4/thumbnail_397000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363986/Connecticut/Transportation-Committee-approves-drafting-of-multiple-raised-concepts-and-committee-bills-changes-of-reference-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363986-c6c89dc9bf8621c484a7ca13c49912ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169482&Signature=Ysl3mNbCVybbXgxAL2APwM1TNswUDLqpcICiQRHB3uWdLxfI0Nw7UgkT5ZI6hQHxreiB~3GRdJqb0Lw3Gj0cQ6ksREEMtezm21tRwTXlUhHSZp16fv1uhUVDbFvzyLDLGSaDu8O4jja2bLCdTvzihrIh92Jtw9m~qTsiY4dwdvxA2a7fWFLcl288Zx36LGYg3CQjYGZ1kb4hCKFCyaV4Dw7xqOeU6BVZ0AKGjpWl5dLrUfO5U5V1XOV9rz~7fccBu23EIQeg69P-Whme04Rg3kM-B7I3YHPVUDBw2IR-M5IslYBGcqtvwqSubsQI6bApIUQC6VNmAsfgY-W7mzhfcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CGA - Transportation Committee","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Connecticut General Assembly Transportation Committee voted to draft a package of raised concepts and to prepare several committee bills at a meeting that also set committee referrals for two bills. Most items were approved by voice vote; one contested concept (item 2) was handled separately by roll call.

What the committee approved: By voice vote the committee approved drafting item 1 and items 3 through 12 as raised bills. The chair read the item titles for the record: item 1 — enact concerning small harbor improvement projects; item 3 — enact concerning additional revenue sources for the special transportation fund; item 4 — an act implementing the recommendations of the Department of Transportation; item 5 — an act implementing the recommendations of the Department of Motor Vehicles; item 6 — an act concerning transportation worker safety; item 7 — an act concerning highway, expanding the blue envelope program; item 11 — enact concerning airports and aviation; and item 12 — enact concerning the dealer franchise act.

Committee bills and references: The committee also voted to draft proposed committee bills (items 1–3 as committee bills) by motion of Senator Cohen, seconded by Senator Austin, and approved by voice vote. Representative Mara asked a substantive question about proposed weigh‑in‑motion systems for commercial motor vehicles; sponsors said the technology would be used in addition to existing weigh stations and could capture commercial vehicles when weigh stations are closed.

Change of reference: The committee approved changing reference for HB 6679 (an act concerning the local bridge program) to the finance committee and SB 1082 (an act concerning the non‑emergency transportation of persons in a prone position via stretcher vans) to the public health committee. The motion to change reference was moved by Senator Cohen and seconded by Senator Austin and approved by voice vote.

Context and next steps: Sponsors repeatedly reminded members that “raising a concept” authorizes drafting and public hearings but is not a final approval of policy. Representative Kennedy said, “Whichever way you vote today, it’s not you’re not logged into that vote, yes or no, because we will have more information. We will have language in the bill.” The committee said public hearings will be scheduled and posted in advance and that drafts will be circulated before hearings.

Outcome: Committee approved drafting the listed raised concepts and committee bills and changed references for HB 6679 and SB 1082. The committee recessed and said it will post hearing dates and accept testimony when the drafts are available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Transportation Committee Meeting 1/29","oneSentenceSummary","The Transportation Committee approved drafting several raised concepts (items 1 and 3–12), approved drafting of committee bills (items 1–3) and changed references for two bills to other committees. Most actions were voice votes; one concept (item 2) was roll‑call voted separately.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut","taxId",77677,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6363992,"Transportation Committee raises concept to lower blood-alcohol limit, discuss roadside phlebotomy and electronic warrants",1591,642000,2233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165469-40bbb330366e8a00822bc56e67fce8b4&start=642&end=2233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165469-40bbb330366e8a00822bc56e67fce8b4/thumbnail_642000.jpg","/articles/6363992/Connecticut/Transportation-Committee-raises-concept-to-lower-blood-alcohol-limit-discuss-roadside-phlebotomy-and-electronic-warrants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363992-1aeb63f97b7247bbd0c645775afb261c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169482&Signature=KzJBGhmmwHeqhMX8zHr5~e~3nEUYtgrTRvXSNy4E46rKltB-tKiyu12ZpUHYEQKfPmNqBtR1CQvrnOB7RtcCwHdk2-a0ktFYukFrUh0wzudBXtjMaQ4XfK664ErznIFbjxQB~qLI9Biy9yM0pBft3ZGMo9BmR7rZvhBYuZFjXY9PpS30f0T4FpDEt5cYz2nE7GTxTvCSxmSLjliuofdKP3yCqtYWI1F~jzJMB5iMQQ1E5JO0scvKvLqKqgURtsAR-cta-ltDZnPBvwfxRAYiQG0V88BX~lGEDU6LpYLfskOyv8jrEnwAQnZ-qqo2QUc--d-CYsSOSQ0yUbCvsc4m7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly voted to draft legislation described as “enact reducing blood alcohol limits for impaired driving and concerning roadside phlebotomy and electronic warrants.” The roll-call vote to raise the concept passed after extended debate and a recorded roll call.

The measure as presented would lower the state’s blood‑alcohol concentration limit and add discussion points on roadside phlebotomy — trained officers drawing blood at the scene — and the use of electronic warrants to authorize such draws. Committee Cochair Senator Wong said the committee is “raising concepts” to develop language and hear public input, noting, “a yes vote today, by no means insinuates a yes vote down the line.”

Why it matters: Committee members said the change is part of a broader push to reduce preventable roadway deaths. Senator Wong cited rising traffic fatalities and framed the draft as part of a bipartisan road‑safety effort, saying the committee must “address preventable roadway deaths.” Supporters pointed to recent data from Utah, where a lower BAC limit was followed by reduced crashes, and said the hearings will examine evidence from other states and pilot programs.

Discussion highlights: Representative Hall and others urged separating elements of the proposed concept into distinct bills. Hall said he would like separate bills for poly‑drug issues, the phlebotomy proposal and BAC level changes, arguing that lumping them together makes it harder to build consensus. Senator Austin said she supported sending the concept forward for a hearing but expressed “very significant concerns” about logistical and enforcement burdens, noting limited rideshare coverage in some towns and warning against overreach.

On the pilot program: Committee members and sponsors described an existing roadside phlebotomy pilot managed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The committee heard that there are currently about 26–29 certified officers statewide who can perform phlebotomy as part of law enforcement programs, and that training classes continue to expand. A cochair said, “This seems to be the future, and we want to look into it a little bit more with respect to polydrug use, cannabis use, in particular, driving under the influence.”

Consent and warrants: Under current practice described to the committee, a roadside blood draw by a trained phlebotomist requires the driver’s consent. Sponsors said an electronic‑warrant process would change that framework but that the details would be worked out during drafting and in public hearings. A cochair said, “The ewarrant would change that a a bit. Obviously, they’d have to agree to the warrant, but, that’s something that we’ll have to flush out.”

Next steps and process: Committee members emphasized that drafting the concept does not establish final policy. Representative Kennedy reiterated, “Whichever way you vote today, it’s not you’re not logged into that vote, yes or no, because we will have more information. We will have language in the bill.” The committee recorded the roll‑call vote and said hearings will be scheduled and public notices posted at least five days in advance.

Outcome: The committee approved drafting the raised bill for further public hearings and drafting work. Several members asked that the measure be referred to additional committees (public safety, judiciary) as language is developed; sponsors acknowledged that referral to judiciary is likely because the topic implicates penalties and constitutional issues.

Looking ahead: Committee chairs said they will invite experts and stakeholders to testify at hearings, including representatives from law enforcement, public‑health experts and advocates for civil liberties, to address practical logistics, legal concerns and data from other states.","The Connecticut General Assembly Transportation Committee voted to draft a bill to reduce the legal blood-alcohol concentration limit and to explore roadside phlebotomy and electronic warrants. Lawmakers debated civil‑liberties and enforcement issues and scheduled hearings for public input.","actionData","errors"]

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Transportation Committee approves drafting of multiple raised concepts and committee bills; changes of reference set

Transportation Committee raises concept to lower blood-alcohol limit, discuss roadside phlebotomy and electronic warrants