Division vote deadlocks on ignition‑interlock and privacy update after technical briefing

Representative Kraft brought House File 39 0 8 to the committee on March 17 with an author's A1 amendment, describing technical fixes to the ignition‑interlock program and stronger privacy protections for optional driver's license or ID indicators.

Kraft said the bill ‘‘makes technical corrections to the ignition interlock device program, makes no new policy, and it adds new privacy protections for optional driver's license and ID indicators.” Peng Zhang, director of the Driver and Vehicle Services division at the Department of Public Safety, introduced herself and stood for questions.

Kraft detailed two changes to the interlock program: aligning the program’s look‑back period with the 20‑year statutory look‑back recently adopted for impaired‑driving offenses, and clarifying eligibility for people with out‑of‑state DWI convictions to reduce ambiguity. On privacy, he said the bill would classify certain optional indicators — used for items such as medical alerts or autism-related notes — as private data to better protect sensitive information.

After the author's amendment was adopted by voice, Representative Kraft renewed his motion to re‑refer HF 39 0 8 to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee. A division was requested and, after members raised hands, the count was an 8‑8 tie. The chair noted the tie and the motion ultimately did not prevail; the committee recessed shortly after.

What’s next: Because the division resulted in a tie, the measure did not move forward from this committee at this hearing. Sponsors said they would continue work on the proposal and coordination with Driver and Vehicle Services.