State House Votes To Lower Threshold For Drunken Boating

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma House has voted to lower the legal blood alcohol content for boaters in Oklahoma.

The state House Tuesday approved a state Senate bill that would lower the blood alcohol content required to file charges against boaters from .10 to .08, the same level that constitutes drunk driving of a motor vehicle. The House voted 97-1 in favor of Senate Bill 267.

State House author Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, says the bill is intended to increase public safety and aid law enforcement.

Violation of the law remains a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.