S.20.2-22: Chug It Down Act (Failed)

[Senator-elect Spark]

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.

[Dr. MB]

Introduced this bill for a simple reason: to get rid of unjust punishments for a "crime" that 58% of Atlasians under the age of 18 commit. Even though we lowered the drinking age to 19 in the South the statistics still stand. Now I'm not saying every teenager should go out and get drunk. But it happens, and we all know it happens, so I'd rather not punish the people unlucky enough to get caught. It's an issue that just shouldn't be handeled by the government.

[Senator-elect Spark]

I am initially opposed to this legislation. Alcohol can have severe repercussive effects upon an undeveloped mind. The decision-making function of kids is not fully developed to realize the consequences of their actions. They may not fully understand alcohol's effects on them and how to manage it. However, I support an amendment to reduce the penalties.

[Dr. MB]

I am initially opposed to this legislation. Alcohol can have severe repercussive effects upon an undeveloped mind. The decision-making function of kids is not fully developed to realize the consequences of their actions. They may not fully understand alcohol's effects on them and how to manage it. However, I support an amendment to reduce the penalties.

See the point isn't whether or not you think underage drinking should be legal. it's whether you think punishments like removing a driver's license or thousand dollar fines should be legal. And personally, I don't think either should be.

[tmthforu94]

What is the point of the language, "with a possible warning?" It seems completely unenforceable since the words right before it strip authorities of imposing any punishments. Also, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it is currently punishable to attempt to purchase alcohol - the punishment comes from using a fake or other I.D. Are you suggesting there should be no punishments for that?

I also think it might be good to note that this does not apply to citations of driving under the influence of alcohol.

[Senator-elect Spark]

In terms of morality, should we not be encouraging our youth to consume alcohol? It can have severe effects on behavioral as well as social development. I understand the aim of this legislation as you are trying to reduce the penalties, but there are other ways to do that. I remain opposed.

[Dr. MB]

amendment per tmth:

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, with the exception of a possible warning, 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.

[Dr. MB]

In terms of morality, should we not be encouraging our youth to consume alcohol? It can have severe effects on behavioral as well as social development. I understand the aim of this legislation as you are trying to reduce the penalties, but there are other ways to do that. I remain opposed.

It's not an issue of morality here. Your personal thoughts on whether drinking alcohol is morally wrong or right is good or not don't really apply - it's just an issue of whether or not people should be punished for it. How is fining people gonna change a thing? We've been doing this for years and years to 0 effect.

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

I motion for a final vote. 24 hours for objections.

[Senator-elect Spark]

Final vote for 48 hours.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Nay

[Deep Dixieland Senator, Muad'dib (OSR MSR)]

Abstain

[PragmaticPopulist]

Nay

[Senator-elect Spark]

Due to still remaining morally opposed, nay. This bill fails unfortunately.

0 AYE
3 NAY
1 ABSTAIN
1 ABSENT

Less work to do for the Chamber in the next session I suppose.