IFF: Pour one out for freedom, or not

In today’s column, Wayne Hoffman/Idaho Freedom Foundation discusses legislation proposed by Idaho State Police that would require an establishment with a liquor license to serve at least 20 drinks per week:

A number of comedy clubs and music venues have a policy that you must buy a couple of drinks while enjoying the venue’s conviviality. This ubiquitous policy is called the “two drink minimum.”

Not to be outdone, the state of Idaho is considering a 20-drink minimum, and the Otter administration hopes lawmakers will raise their glasses in celebration of the concept. Otter’s Idaho State Police (ISP) is promoting a bill that would require holders of liquor licenses to serve no fewer than 20 drinks per week. If that’s not enough, the state police would also require liquor licensees to be open no fewer than 20 hours a week.

It’s the second time the Otter administration has proposed such a policy; it tried to do so last year as an agency regulation, but lawmakers wouldn’t swallow. This time, ISP has produced legislation — House Bill 14 — which is waiting to be served in the House Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee. More here.