House closes loophole in underage-drinking law

A bill that will give law enforcement officials another weapon against underage drinkers passed the floor of the House unanimously Wednesday afternoon.

HB289 would allow minors to be arrested for possession of alcohol if any traceable amounts can be found in his or her body.

The bill would eliminate a loophole in state law that prevents police from arresting minors if they claim they ingested the alcohol across another state line.

"We really need this bill in order for us to do the best job we can as police officers," Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey said in committee. A bill that would force illegal aliens to pay out-of-state college tuition did not make it out of a House Education Committee Wednesday.

HB366 sponsor Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, said he may try to bring the bill back to the House floor before the session ends next week.

"Let's make them legal," he said, referring to the estimated 91 students who currently benefit from in-state tuition status.

A law passed two years ago allows illegal aliens who attended high school in Utah for at least three years to apply for resident-tuition status upon entering college.

The difference in cost can be between $2,000 and $6,000, depending on the school.

Rep. Bradley Johnson, R-Aurora, cochairman of the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, argued that the state is behind $43 million on trying to pay for students who are here legally. Others said the current law is unfair to U.S. citizens who come to Utah colleges from out of state and to students from foreign countries who have to pay the higher prices.

Commissioner of Higher Education Rich Kendell spoke in favor of keeping the law the way it is, saying the financial impact on higher education has caused "very little" harm.