Shift of DABC enforcement powers passes committee

A bill that would strip the Utah liquor commission of its enforcement responsibility and place that task with the Utah Attorney General's office passed favorably through a House committee on Monday.

HB344, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, came under fire from current and former members of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, one of whom said "this bill would be a serious mistake."

Oda said he crafted the bill in response to requests by club and restaurant owners who feel they do not have a mechanism to refute or debate penalties assessed by the DABC.

Earl Dorius from the DABC said that the commission is bound by a "grid" used to determine penalties for violations and has little or no latitude for adjusting those fines and/or suspensions.

Assistant Utah Attorney General Sheila Page, who works on cases involving liquor law violations, said her office is "neutral" on the bill, but did say that about 90 percent of violation cases reach resolution in pre-hearing meetings.

The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice standing committee passed HB344 to the House floor for further action.