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The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed legislation Wednesday that would allow authorities to confiscate and sell the vehicles of certain drunken drivers.
State Sen. Kent Adams, R-Bremen, who sponsored the bill, said today that the committee decided to take a closer look at the bill "to make sure we're not harming any innocent parties."
Committee Chairman Richard Bray, R-Martinsville, appointed a three-member subcommittee to consider possible changes in the bill.
Under Adams' bill, police would be able to seize vehicles after a court proceeding and sell them if certain offenses were proven.
Among other things, it could apply to people caught driving drunk who have had a previous DUI conviction within the past five years, and drunken drivers who caused the death of another person.
"I'm not saying this is the answer. However, the alternative is to do nothing, and I don't feel that doing nothing is the answer," Adams said.
Several concerns about the legislation were raised, including whether banks that have title to vehicles would be protected, and whether courts should be given more discretion under the bill.
Adams said the bill may or may not pass during this session of Indiana's General Assembly.
"But we accomplished what we intended, which was to keep attention on the subject," he said.
