The first bill would provide $2.5 million for police highway patrols targeting drunk drivers during the holiday season. The funding would come from taxes collected on beer sales.

The second bill addresses DUI courts. Currently, Utah has two DUI courts that offer offenders a dismissed conviction in exchange for highly supervised court and treatment programs. However, if a person is charged with a second DUI offense after completing the court program, prosecutors are unable to charge the person with a DUI offense that carries higher penalties.

The bill proposed by Sen. Carlene Walker (R-Salt Lake City) would clarify that a felony DUI conviction or automobile homicide conviction could not be expunged from the person's record. In addition, a dismissed plea could be considered a conviction for purposes of enhanced penalties.

"It's important because it allows courts to establish a plea in abeyance -- one tied to a drug-court model but at the same time hold them accountable if they offend again," said Susan Burke, director of the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council, which supervises all DUI issues for the state.

Both bills are in committees and will come before the legislature in the next general session that begins in January.

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