Senate Bipartisan Working Group
Alaska's State Senate Majority Caucus
Today is Sep. 10th ::
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Senator Gary Stevens, Senate President |
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Senator Johnny Ellis, Majority Leader |
Senate Passes Bill to Increase Penalties on Underage Drinking
(JUNEAU) – The State Senate today passed Senate Bill 194,
“Civil Damages for Alcohol Violations”, sponsored by Senator Kevin Meyer,
R-Anchorage. “Drinking by people under 21 is
a problem in our state,” said Senator Meyer. “Too many of our young people get
alcohol from adults.” SB 194 increases civil damages
from $1,000 to $1,500 for minors who knowingly enter or remain in premises
licensed to sell alcohol, people who solicit or purchase alcohol for anyone
under the age of 21, and people with restrictions on purchasing alcohol.
Additionally, SB 194 encourages
education programs as part of sentencing in civil action suits for youths to
have a better understanding of how alcohol affects their bodies. According to the State of
Alaska’s Plan to Reduce & Prevent Underage Drinking, 11 percent of all
treatment admissions for alcohol abuse in the state were youngsters between 12
and 20. “Kids are not the only ones
with a problem,” said Senator Meyer. “There are currently 2,133 alcohol
restricted licenses issued in the state. An increase in civil damages will
reinforce the message to youngsters and adults that underage drinking will not
be tolerated.” Senator Meyer has a long
legislative history of keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors since his time
on both the Municipal Assembly in Anchorage and the House of Representatives in
Juneau. Having passed the Senate, SB 194
now goes to the House of Representatives for its consideration. For more information, contact
Senator Meyer or Christine Marasigan at 907-465-4945. ###
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