KDA Statement on Passage of Senate Bill 85

For immediate Release – March 14, 2019

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association and its members applaud the General Assembly for tonight’s overwhelming final passage of Senate Bill 85, the ignition interlock bill that will help keep drunk drivers off Kentucky roadways and save lives.

SB 85 is the result of months of tireless work by a diverse coalition of stakeholders, including the KDA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Kentucky County Attorneys Association, public advocates, and the Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers.

We also thank the bold leadership of Sen. Whitney Westerfield, the bill’s sponsor and Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who worked with the coalition, fellow lawmakers and any interested party as he shepherded the bill through the complex legislative process.

The KDA would like to personally thank Rep. Richard Heath for carrying the bill on the House floor and sharing his family’s tragedy at the hands of a drunk driver.

Rep. Heath was joined by Reps. Dennis Keene, Jim Duplessis, Brandon Reed and Kevin Bratcher who shared their personal experiences on the impact of drunk driving on their friends, family members and communities.

SB 85 also is supported by the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Insurance Institute of Kentucky, Kentucky Guild of Brewers, Volunteers of America Mid-States, Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Kentucky, Kentucky Travel Industry Association, AAA, Anheuser-Busch, KY Beer Wholesalers Association, Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, and many other organizations.

There is no reason today for anyone to drink and drive. There are too many safe-ride options and ways to plan ahead. But if you make the wrong decision to drive drunk, SB 85 offers the tools to help you, while holding you accountable and teaching you not to make the same mistake again.

We look forward to working with members of the General Assembly next session to further responsibility measures and fund a robust ignition interlock program in Kentucky.

— Eric Gregory, KDA President