A House panel has given the nod to a pair of measures aimed at cracking down on New Mexico's drunken drivers.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 9-1 Monday in favor of legislation that would allow judges to impose stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
A DWI offense can be deemed a felony after the fourth conviction. The legislation would make individuals convicted of a DWI felony eligible for sentencing under the state's habitual offender law.
The other measure that passed the committee would make it a fourth-degree felony to be charged with DWI while driving on a suspended or revoked license for a prior DWI offense.
The bill would also increase punishments for those who lend their car to someone with a revoked or suspended license due to drunken driving.
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