The DWI bill toughens the punishment for repeat drunk driving by making it a felony to get four or more DWIs in 10 years. Currently, the maximum penalty for drunken driving is one year in jail and a $3,000 fine regardless of the number of DWIs. Under this bill, the maximum prison sentence is seven years and the maximum fine is $14,000. It also increases the fee and surcharge that a drunken driver must pay to have their driver's license reinstated. Senator Dave Johnson, DFL-Bloomington, authored Senate File 264. It passed 61 to 1.

The Prescription Drug Rebate bill would provide the same prescription discounts that manufacturers give the federal Medicaid Program to an estimated one million uninsured Minnesotans. Under the bill, pharmacists would be reimbursed from the state for charging the uninsured customers discounted prices. The state would later be rebated from drug companies. Senator John Hottinger, DFL-Mankato, authored Senate File 765. It passed 42-21.

Other items considered on the Special Orders Calendar included:

SF 1541 (Oliver) Commerce Enforcement Bill. Final Passage Roll Call - 62-0.

SF 453 (Larson) Bleacher Safety. Final Passage as amended Roll Call - 47-4.

SF 619 (Ranum) Omnibus Domestic Violence Bill. Final Passage Roll Call- 61-0.

SF 1561 (Hottinger) Uniform commercial code revised article 9 corrective and conforming amendments. Final Passage Roll Call- 59-0.

(Pogemiller) Retirement provisions modifications. Final Passage as amended Roll Call- 60-0.

SF 1098 (Oliver)Public service department powers, duties and responsibilities and unfair cigarette sales act administration and enforcement responsibilities transfers. Final Passage Roll Call- 64-0.

HF 2036 (Murphy) Goodhue county auditor-treasurer appointment authorized. Final Passage Roll Call - 55-7.

SF 1438 (Scheid) Public employment labor agreements ratification and salary provisions modification. Final Passage Roll Call - 46-12.

SF 1330 (Stevens) Unemployment insurance extra benefits for Fingerhut, Inc. and Onan Power Electronics, laid off employees. Final Passage as amended Roll Call - 60-1.

HF 783 (Ranum) Peace officers firearms use deadly force definition exclusion. Final Passage as amended Roll Call - 61-0.

SF 95 (Marty) Absentee voting procedures simplification. Final Passage Roll Call - 32-31 - bill does not pass (Final Passage requires 34 votes)

SF 67 (Marty) Employer civil liability for damages to seriously injured employees. Final Passage Roll Call - 33-32 - bill does not pass.

SF 1614 (Hottinger) Civil actions for state violation of federal age discrimination in employment, fair labor standards, family and medical leave or Americans with disabilities acts. Final Passage Roll Call - 58-0

SF 577 (Anderson) Metropolitan council transit regulation authority expansion. Final Passage as amended Roll Call - 37-27.