California Lawmakers Gut Major DUI Reform Bill Through 'Hostile Amendments'
A significant DUI reform bill in California, which aimed to mandate in-car breathalyzers for all convicted DUI offenders, has been substantially altered by a California Senate committee. The changes, referred to as 'hostile amendments' because they were made without the bill author's involvement or support, effectively removed the key provision that would have required these devices for thousands of first-time offenders. Currently, California law only mandates ignition interlock devices for repeat offenses or crashes involving injuries. The bill had widespread support from other lawmakers and families of drunk driving victims. Senator Sabrina Cervantes, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, indicated changes were coming, and an updated version of the legislation emerged this week reflecting these amendments. Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, the bill's author, expressed her efforts to understand the reasons behind the amendments, stating she does not believe Cervantes' past DUI arrest played a r... 
