WRN file photo
Repeat drunk drivers would face tougher penalties, under a bill passed by the state Assembly early this morning.
The legislation passed on a 95-1 vote would make any fourth offense OWI a felony in Wisconsin. Under current law, such cases are only a misdemeanor if they happen more than five years after the third offense.
The proposal would also increase the maximum prison sentence for fifth and sixth offenses to five years in prison from the current three year limit. The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker for his signature.
The Assembly also approved legislation Tuesday that requires first-time drunk driving suspects to appear in court, instead of just paying a fine. The measure now heads to the Senate.