PETITION OF:

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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Resolve to study driving impairment due to prescription drug abuse.

Resolved,

Resolved, That there shall be established a special commission to consist of three members of the senate, who shall be appointed by the president of the senate, three members of the house of representatives of the house, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, and nine persons to be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be the attorney general or her designee, one of whom shall be the secretary of public safety or his designee, one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association, one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Pharmacists Association, one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Police Association and one of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, for the purpose of making an investigation and study to ascertain the yield of each tax and fee now levied by the state and to investigate any and all taxes that could be levied to provide state revenue and to advise which taxes or fees to keep, eliminate and/or add to provide the needed revenue for the State. All appointments to said commission shall be made within 30 days of the effective date hereof. The chairman of said commission shall be selected by the members thereof. Seven members of the commission shall constitute a quorum and a majority of all members present and voting shall be required for any action voted by said commission including, but not limited to, voting on formal recommendations or proposed legislation.

SECTION 2. Said commission, as part of its review, analysis and study, in making such recommendations regarding the ability for drivers to safely operate a motor vehicle under the influence of prescription drugs when not taken as prescribed or when combined with varying amounts of alcohol, shall focus on and consider the following issues, proposals and impacts:

a) Determine the scope and situations in which drivers are impaired when under the influence of prescription drugs when not taken as prescribed or when combined with varying amounts of alcohol;

b) A review of other states’ policies for regarding drivers operating under the influence of prescription drugs when not taken as prescribed or when combined with varying amounts of alcohol;

c) Consideration of the possible benefits, consequences and/or adverse impacts of implementing regulations;

d) Suggestions for public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving due to prescription drug abuse;

e) Recommendations as to legislation needed to increase the safety of motorists and passengers by deterring impaired driving;

f) Consideration of any other issues, studies, proposals or impacts that, in the judgment of the commission, may be relevant, pertinent or material to the study, analysis and review of said commission.

Said commission shall submit, not later than one year after the effective date hereof, a copy of a final report of its findings resulting from its study, review, analysis and consideration, including legislative recommendations, if any, to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate, the governor, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the chairs of the house and senate committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on revenue. Any department, division, commission, public body, authority, board, bureau or agency of the commonwealth shall cooperate with the commission for the purpose of providing information or professional expertise and skill relevant to the mission of the commission.

SECTION 3. This statute shall expire 30 days after the filing of the final report of the commission.