04/13/2012 08:00 AM Senate JUDICIARY

               HB  50-ACCESS TO LICENSED PREMISES                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
10:20:10 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR  FRENCH  announced the  consideration  of  HB 50,  "An  Act                                                               
relating to the purchase of alcoholic  beverages at a club and to                                                               
access  by certain  persons under  21 years  of age  to a  club's                                                               
licensed premises when alcoholic beverages are present."                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
10:20:21 AM                                                                                                                   
REPRESENTATIVE DAN  SADDLER, sponsor of  HB 50, said the  bill is                                                               
about access  to patriotic clubs  that may be  licensed premises,                                                               
but is not  intended to allow minors to consume  alcohol in these                                                               
establishments. HB  50 has  two basic  elements. Section  1 would                                                               
make  it easier  for service  members and  their spouses  who are                                                               
over  age 21  to  visit  licensed premises  such  as an  American                                                               
Legion or VFW hall at the club's invitation.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Section 2 would  allow service members and their  spouses who are                                                               
under  age  21, and  have  appropriate  identification, to  enter                                                               
licensed  premises of  patriotic  clubs if  they  are members  or                                                               
guests  of  a member.  He  noted  that  if  the host  leaves  the                                                               
premises,  the   minors  must  also  leave.   He  explained  that                                                               
patriotic clubs are often used  for off-base meetings of military                                                               
units and  to exclude those who  are under age 21  can negatively                                                               
affect unit cohesion and morale.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  SADDLER reiterated  that  HB 50  does not  permit                                                               
underage drinking.  It simply  clarifies that  military personnel                                                               
and their spouses who  are over age 21 do not have  to wait for a                                                               
special  occasion to  visit  a patriot  club,  and that  military                                                               
personnel and their  spouses who are under age 21  can visit, but                                                               
not consume  alcohol, as long as  they are members or  guests. He                                                               
noted that the packet contained documentations of support.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
10:22:28 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR FRENCH asked if the bill had any opposition.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER said no.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR FRENCH  observed that  the bill  addresses only  the narrow                                                               
category of patriotic clubs, not licensed premises in general.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER [nodded.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
10:23:04 AM                                                                                                                   
CHAIR FRENCH closed public testimony  and reviewed the supporting                                                               
documentation  in  the  packet.   Finding  no  further  committee                                                               
discussion, he asked the will of the committee.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
10:23:39 AM                                                                                                                   
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI moved to report  CS for HB 55 from committee                                                               
with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s).                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  FRENCH  announced  that without  objection,  CSHB  55(JUD)                                                               
moved from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.