Anti-Drug Driver’s License Bill Signed

SACRAMENTO —  Drivers convicted of drug offenses will have their licenses suspended under a measure signed Tuesday by Gov. Pete Wilson.

The measure frees $93 million in highway funds that have been frozen since California’s previous drug suspension law expired March 1.

Wilson also signed a measure by Sen. Quentin L. Kopp (I-San Francisco) telling the federal government that the state opposes enacting a license suspension statute.

Under the compromise, the “smoke-a-joint, lose-your-license law” will be in effect only until the federal law linking it to transportation dollars expires in mid-1999.

That provision is intended to let a future Legislature and governor decide whether to extend the law on its merits without the threat of losing federal dollars.