Legislation that would toughen the state’s existing drunken driving laws is currently on its way to the Wisconsin State Senate after being unanimously passed by the Assembly Thursday.

The bill, authored by Rep. Tony Staskunas, D-West Allis, increases penalties for drunken driving and sets up deterrent programs and treatment options for offenders. For example, the bill would make a fourth-offense Operating While Intoxicated a felony and criminalize first-offense OWIs with a child under age 16 in the vehicle. Wisconsin is the only state in the nation to treat the first offense as a citation and one of only two that take until the fifth offense to consider it a felony.

The bill will also allow a judge to assign an ignition lock for multiple offenders and for first-offense drunken drivers with a blood alcohol content of .15 or higher. It also would eliminate a judge’s ability to seize the offender’s vehicle for auction or immobilization.

Now that the bill is out of the Assembly, a similar bill will work through the Senate for consideration. If that bill passes, a final bill reconciling differences between the two will be sent to Gov. Jim Doyle for his approval. Doyle previously called for tougher drunken driving legislation during his State of the State Address in January.

In a statement Thursday, Staskunas said Assembly members from both parties have taken important steps toward increased motorist safety for the state.

Assembly Speaker Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, praised Staskunas in a statement for authoring a comprehensive drunken driving bill that increases penalties and focuses on prevention and treatment options.

Sheridan said the bill addresses the main cause of repeat drunken driving: the state’s drinking culture.

“The bipartisan action of the State Assembly today sends a strong message: Drunken driving will no longer be tolerated in Wisconsin,” Sheridan said.

Rep. Robin Vos, R-Racine said the bill was an example of a rare instance where Republicans and Democrats work together to make common sense legislation.

Vos added he thinks the Senate will take quick action to pass the bill this session by the end of year.

Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, said he approves of the Assembly bill and he would be surprised if the Senate does not consider it before Thanksgiving.