Tennessee lawmakers heard two separate bills aimed at preventing DUI in the state, but only one of those bills passed through to the next level.

Rep. Tony Shipley sponsored a bill that would require an ignition interlock device on DUI offenders who are caught driving with a BAC over .15%. Lawmakers estimate the cost of an ignition interlock device for these first-time offenders will be just over $1,200 annually. This legislation, though hailed as a landmark change in Tennessee, is in keeping with ignition interlock laws passed this year in other states. 

The current ignition interlock law in Tennessee only requires a device if a person is caught driving under the influence 2 times within five years. Then, the device is required for a 6-month period. The bill passed the House committee and will move on to vote. 

During the same session, a separate bill that would prohibit beer sales in drive through and curb side retail operations was deferred for one week. The bill would not completely outlaw the practice, but it would block renewals and new issues of permits, meaning the practice would eventually expire.

The reasoning behind this law is the same as that behind dram shop laws, which hold the seller accountable when furnishing alcohol to an intoxicated person who later gets behind the wheel of a car. Supporters of the change say it is challenging for a vendor to determine whether a person is too intoxicated to be served if the person does not need to leave his or her own car. 

Opponents say the bill would unfairly impact small operations that rely on liquor sales as a large margin of their profits. They also argue the sellers can determine if a buyer is intoxicated based on appearance and speech.