S.20.3-4: Chug It Down Act (Law'd)

[tmthforu94]

AN ACT
to reduce excessive punishment

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this Act shall be the "Chug It Down Act."

Section 2
a. A maximum fine of $150 per offense may be imposed for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage. No other punishment shall be applied.
b. Nothing in this act shall permit establishments to serve alcohol to underage patrons.
c. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to attempting to use or manufacture false identification.
d. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to driving under the influence.

Sponsor: Governor MB

Minimum 48 hours for debate. The sponsor is invited to advocate for the bill.

[tmthforu94]

For reference, here is the debate from last session: https://talkelections.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=381893.0

To start, I'd like to offer the following amendment, which MB introduced last session as a result of a couple concerns I brought up:

AN ACT
to reduce excessive punishment

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this Act shall be the "Chug It Down Act."

Section 2
a. No fine or other punishment shall be applied for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage. with the exception of a possible warning.
b. Nothing in this act shall permit establishments to serve alcohol to underage patrons.
c. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to attempting to use or manufacture false identification.
d. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to driving under the influence.

24 hours for objections to the amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Actually I agree on the warning aspect - I just cut that piece out of my proposed amendment.

[tmthforu94]

Seeing no objection, the amendment I offered on 8/1 has been adopted.

[tmthforu94]

Truthfully I'm on the fence on this. My biggest concern is the harm alcohol causes to brain development when consumed at a young age, I worry that by passing this bill, we'd be sending a message that the government is giving the green light to underage drinking.

What would people's thoughts be on an amendment similar to what Delegate Reagente suggested: remove it as a criminal offense, just state that minor consumption results in a fine up to $100 and requirement to attend a government-approved drug and alcohol course. With such amendment, I would vote in favor of this, but I'll wait to hear feedback from both sides of the issue.

[tmthforu94]

Proposing an amendment:

AN ACT
to reduce excessive punishment

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this Act shall be the "Chug It Down Act."

Section 2
a. A maximum fine of $50 per offense may be imposed for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage. No fine or other punishment shall be applied for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage.
b. Nothing in this act shall permit establishments to serve alcohol to underage patrons.
c. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to attempting to use or manufacture false identification.
d. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to driving under the influence.

24 hours for objections.

[tmthforu94]

With no objections, the amendment is adopted.

How do delegates feel about the current version, are people more comfortable voting for it?

[tmthforu94]

I'm also fine with this change. 24 hours for objections.

[tmthforu94]

DTC's amendment has been adopted.

Any more discussion before a final vote?

[tmthforu94]

24 hours to object to a final vote.

[tmthforu94]

A final vote has started, please vote AYE, NAY or ABSTAIN.

AN ACT
to reduce excessive punishment

Section 1 (Title)
i. The title of this Act shall be the "Chug It Down Act."

Section 2
a. A maximum fine of $150 per offense may be imposed for the crime of consuming or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages underage. No other punishment shall be applied.
b. Nothing in this act shall permit establishments to serve alcohol to underage patrons.
c. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to attempting to use or manufacture false identification.
d. Nothing in this act shall prohibit punishment being imposed for charges relating to driving under the influence.

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

This has the votes to pass, Delegates have 24 hours to change their votes.

[tmthforu94]

With 7 Ayes, the bill has passed and will be presented to the Governor for signature.