Teh One Who Knocks
09-12-2013, 11:33 AM
JESSICA VANEGEREN | The Capital Times
Those under 21 who drink or purchase alcohol may be on the hook for an additional $1,000 fine under a bill designed to create additional roadblocks for underage drinkers.
Senate Bill 46, known as the "Brown Jug bill" for the Alaskan bar that first had a similar law passed, would allow the owners of bars or other establishments that sell alcohol to take underage drinkers who knowingly purchase alcohol from their businesses to court.
The underage drinker would be required to pay the business owner $1,000 if found guilty.
The bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, said technology has made it easier to produce fake identification cards. As a result, many small businesses are spending more to hire additional staff to check ID’s, for example.
The bill is the subject of a 1 p.m. public hearing Thursday before the Senate Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism Committee. The hearing will be in Room 201 Southeast of the state Capitol.
“I think this is a good way to ward off society’s problem with alcohol,” Gudex said. “We are trying to put up some road blocks so they think twice before they do this.”
The Tavern League of Wisconsin, Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Grocers Association and the Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators are registered in favor of the bill.
In a statement opposing the bill, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin said underage drinkers are already subject to a fine ranging from $250 to $1,000 for violating the state’s underage drinking law.
“There are already substantial penalties in place for underage drinking,” read the statement. “It is the responsibility of a licensed establishment selling a regulated substance to make sure of ages in their sales. If they are unable to do so, the license should be withdrawn.”
The Wisconsin Public Health Association, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards and Health First Wisconsin (formerly Smoke Free Wisconsin) also oppose the bill.
Gudex said he is confident the bill will move through the Legislature. He said he changed the bill to appease some of his Democratic colleagues by deleting a requirement that would have required the underage drinker to pay the attorney fees of the bar or establishment and added a provision that requires the underage drinking incident be reported to the police, a suggestion that came from someone in the Assembly.
Those under 21 who drink or purchase alcohol may be on the hook for an additional $1,000 fine under a bill designed to create additional roadblocks for underage drinkers.
Senate Bill 46, known as the "Brown Jug bill" for the Alaskan bar that first had a similar law passed, would allow the owners of bars or other establishments that sell alcohol to take underage drinkers who knowingly purchase alcohol from their businesses to court.
The underage drinker would be required to pay the business owner $1,000 if found guilty.
The bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Rick Gudex, R-Fond du Lac, said technology has made it easier to produce fake identification cards. As a result, many small businesses are spending more to hire additional staff to check ID’s, for example.
The bill is the subject of a 1 p.m. public hearing Thursday before the Senate Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism Committee. The hearing will be in Room 201 Southeast of the state Capitol.
“I think this is a good way to ward off society’s problem with alcohol,” Gudex said. “We are trying to put up some road blocks so they think twice before they do this.”
The Tavern League of Wisconsin, Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Grocers Association and the Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators are registered in favor of the bill.
In a statement opposing the bill, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin said underage drinkers are already subject to a fine ranging from $250 to $1,000 for violating the state’s underage drinking law.
“There are already substantial penalties in place for underage drinking,” read the statement. “It is the responsibility of a licensed establishment selling a regulated substance to make sure of ages in their sales. If they are unable to do so, the license should be withdrawn.”
The Wisconsin Public Health Association, the Wisconsin Association of Local Health Departments and Boards and Health First Wisconsin (formerly Smoke Free Wisconsin) also oppose the bill.
Gudex said he is confident the bill will move through the Legislature. He said he changed the bill to appease some of his Democratic colleagues by deleting a requirement that would have required the underage drinker to pay the attorney fees of the bar or establishment and added a provision that requires the underage drinking incident be reported to the police, a suggestion that came from someone in the Assembly.