Universal Carding Passes

The universal carding bill passed the house today, requiring that retailers selling alcohol must card everyone over the age of 21.

The bill also creates a responsible vendor program, where retailers and their employees can attend a course for instruction on proper carding. Once a vendor is considered ‘responsible,’ they won’t have their license revoked on the first incidence of selling beer to a minor. That prompted local beer boards to say the law forfeits some of their authority.

House Sponsor Gary Moore says the beer board’s authority kicks back after a second violation.

“Does it limit their authority? Yes, it does. And a vendor that commits a violation, they’re giving them basically a pass if you would. Because if they’re busted one time, there license isn’t pulled. If they’re busted a second time within a one year time period, the beer board can then come in and pull their license.”

The bill passed the house with one amendment today, meaning it has to go back to the senate for them to approve. The amendment removes ‘driving certificates’ from the lists of identifications vendors can use.