Montana Senate OKs higher DUI fines

HELENA, (AP) — Seven Democratic senators joined 20 Republicans on Saturday to approve a bill increasing DUI penalties on a 27-23 vote that reversed the Senate's on Friday.

Republican-sponsored House Bill 488 would double minimum fines for driving under the influence and clarify that the same penalties apply to people driving high on marijuana. It would also levy a $300 fine on anyone believed to be driving under the influence who refuses to submit to a drug test.

The bill failed on a 24-26 vote in the Senate on Friday, but senators later voted to reconsider and vote again Saturday.

Details in Monday's Havre Daily News.