New measure beefs up penalties in underage drinking

A tough new underage alcohol use bill will "get at those responsible," its sponsor in the Utah Legislature says.

HB129 was formally introduced Wednesday by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield.

Oda, who has pushed reforming liquor laws before, said he hopes HB129, aimed at reducing the availability of liquor to those under 21 years old, is a step toward legislative support for GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s plan to do away with private club membership fees and registrations.

Currently, said Oda, an underage drinker who uses a false ID (or a person who provides a false ID) to get into a place that sells liquor can have his driver's license suspended for a year. But rarely, said Oda, are judges imposing that penalty, to either the drinker or the false ID provider.

His bill provides a stepped increase in penalties, up to a class A misdemeanor — a year in jail, a cash fine and three years suspended license for repeat offenders.

In addition, a licensed club or bar can go after the repeat offender, seeking up to half of the fine the establishment had to pay the state for the underage violation, along with court fees.

"In some cases, if the offender is under 18, the club can go after mom and dad, too," said Oda. "We need to place the penalties on underage drinking on the drinker and those responsible" for him.

As legislators struggle over alcohol control, many look to stands taken by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 80 percent of legislators are members of that church.

Church leaders have already issued two statements this year about alcohol use, although they have taken no stands on specific liquor bills. But church leaders have expressed a concern that no alcohol changes weaken underage drinking laws.

Oda says his bill strengthens such law enforcement.

Some conservative lawmakers, including most GOP senators, say they don't see the need to change Utah liquor law.

But Huntsman, who has served as an ambassador in two Republican presidential administrations and traveled the world, says Utah should be more welcoming, both to visitors and to those who relocate here for work or other reasons.

Doing away with private club membership fees and registrations would, in effect, be liquor-by-the-drink. Anyone 21 or older could go into a bar and order an alcoholic drink without needing a membership. Currently, an adult can only get a mixed drink if he is a private club member or if he goes into a licensed restaurant and orders food with his alcoholic drink.

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com