From broadened use of ignition interlock devices to increased penalties for drunk drivers who kill, a broad slate of new anti-DUI measures gets its first airing in a widely anticipated hearing Wednesday in Olympia.

"There's still so many tragedies we wish we could avoid and there's also not a sense of justice that people who drive drunk and kill only go to prison for less than two years on average," says Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland).

Goodman and several other lawmakers have proposed a number of bills aimed at both curbing drunk driving and stiffening punishments for those that commit the crime.

Among the most popular proposals is a measure that would require drunk drivers who kill a parent to pay child support for the victim's children.

"The drunk driver pays every month as a reminder of what he did and the taxpayers don't have to foot the bill. It's real accountability and we're making the drunk driver pay."

A highly publicized measure championed by King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg and Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist would significantly increase penalties for vehicular manslaughter. It was spurred by last year's drunk driving death of 43-year old Steve Lacey as he drove home from Costco in the middle of the day and was struck by a drunk driver who's blood alcohol was over three times the legal limit.

But Goodman admits lawmakers are hesitant to support the measure because of the increased costs of housing more offenders during the state's ongoing fiscal crisis.

"I think given the budget constraints, there's not even the willingness to fund things in the future," says Goodman.

Still he insists the state continues making significant progress in reducing drunk driving deaths, pointing to a a recent study showing a 20 percent decline in DUI fatalities and serious injuries.

"We hear about the tragedies but we actually don't hear about the deaths prevented. We're making some progress but there's certainly not a sense of justice."

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter