Team studying liquor laws
TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Some of Idaho’s alcohol laws might be completely rewritten, a state official said, and the practice of only allowing a single liquor license for every 1,500 people within city limits could end.
Bob Wells is a member of a committee appointed by Gov. Butch Otter in February whose mission is to analyze the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control division, that agency’s administration and how the state enforces laws and grants liquor licenses.
“We’re seeing what we can do to bring the ABC into this century,” said Wells, a project manager in Otter’s office who is leading the committee meetings. “It’s entirely possible that the entire code relevant to the Alcohol Beverage Control would be rewritten.”
Idaho’s 1947 liquor laws, passed to promote temperance, allow a single liquor license for every 1,500 people within city limits. Exemptions approved in the past 50 years allow cocktail sales at golf courses, rodeo grounds and ski areas outside of municipal limits.
The committee – made up of lobbyists, lawmakers and other state officials – has met three times and is scheduled to meet again Aug. 14. The meetings are not open to the public.
Wells said that likely changes include making it less complicated to obtain a liquor license.
“Licensing should be an easier process,” he said, but noted that making it possible for anyone to get a license would be “extremely incorrect.”
Jon Hanian, Otter’s spokesman, said the governor wants a more uniform set of liquor laws that will make enforcement easier.
“It’s kind of arbitrary and subjective as to how some of these laws are interpreted, and we want some of that subjectivity out and put in much more clear (language),” Hanian said. “He wants to streamline the process.”
Denise Rogers, former executive director of the Idaho Licensed Beverage Association, said that she was told Otter wants to end the liquor license system. She said that would hurt individuals who have paid up to $200,000 to obtain a license.
“It’s the governor’s intent to get rid of the quota system,” she said. “It’s a huge issue and it’s really under the radar.”
However, if liquor licenses are expanded, that could bring in more money to counties and cities that get a portion of their tax revenue from state liquor store sales.