Haslam calls for special session to addressed jeopardized federal highway funding

Gov. Bill Haslam is calling a special legislative session to try to save $60 million in federal highway funds in jeopardy after lawmakers passed a measure that made changes to Tennessee's DUI law.

Federal authorities say the state's law is not in compliance with a federal zero tolerance law, which requires states to set 0.02 as the allowable blood-alcohol level for drivers under 21.

To bolster the penalties for those found drinking and driving while under the legal age, state lawmakers changed the law to make the allowable blood-alcohol level 0.08. The law added stiffer penalties for underage drinkers.

In August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said unless state officials complied with federal law, Tennessee could lose 8 percent, or $60 million, in highway funding.

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