03/01/1995 03:08 PM House L&C

 HB 162 - ALCOHOL SALES IN HOTEL ROOMS                                       
                                                                               
 Number 206                                                                    
                                                                               
 ROD MOURANT, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO REPRESENTATIVE PETE KOTT,            
 Prime Sponsor of HB 162, read the following sponsor statement:                
                                                                               
 "Currently, the Alaska Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) does            
 not allow alcoholic beverages to be stocked and served inside hotel           
 or motel rooms.                                                               
                                                                               
 "House Bill 162 seeks to authorize the ABC to allow beverage                  
 dispensary license holders the right to serve liquor within hotel             
 and motel rooms through what are commonly called mini bars.  And              
 mini bars are small refriderated units that contain, often times,             
 different flavored waters, soft drinks, ice cube facilities and               
 that type of dispensory.  It's a hospitality service that's                   
 commonly offered in other states in the country, as well as many              
 international hotels as well.                                                 
                                                                               
 "Hotel and management control this unique system either through a             
 locking device or electronic or mechanical means and would issue              
 the ability to open and use the facility only to a guest that is 21           
 years of age or older.                                                        
                                                                               
 "This service would allow international guests greater comfort                
 during their travel through Alaska by providing they're commonly              
 used to.  It would also allow hospitality service (indisc.) and               
 safety of a room while these individuals, in the comfort of their             
 room not to worry about having to travel to a local bar in a city             
 in which they're traveling through that they're not aware of --               
 familiar with.  Also by having the facility in your hotel room, it            
 should reduce the incident of a traveler driving to a bar or a                
 night club nearby, having a drink or two or three and then driving            
 their rental car back to their hotel where they're staying.                   
                                                                               
 "Adoption of this legislation would provide an enhancement to                 
 Alaska's tourism industry and bring it into conforming with a                 
 service that is frequently offered elsewhere."                                
                                                                               
 MR. MOURANT offered that there was a zero fiscal note from the ABC            
 Board (ABC), as well as letters of support from the Hotel and Motel           
 Association who also offered verbal testimony in the previous                 
 committee of referral supporting this service.                                
                                                                               
 Number 251                                                                    
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE ELTON questioned that on page 1, lines 9 and 10, it            
 states "a holder of a beverage or dispensary license issued to a              
 hotel, motel resort or similar business, that caters to the                   
 traveling public," and what a "similar business" is.                          
                                                                               
 MR. MOUNT stated that lodge facilities would also be covered under            
 this legislation.                                                             
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE KUBINA made a motion to move the HB 162 out of the             
 Hosue Labor and Commerce Committee.                                           
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN KOTT pointed out that it was currently legal to stock                
 hotel rooms with various non-alcoholic drinks, but it's cost                  
 prohibitive.  He said that the bill made it through the legislature           
 two years ago, where it was vetoed by Governor Hickel.  Chairman              
 Kott asked if there was an objection in moving the bill.  Hearing             
 none, the motion passed.