Bill: HB 1999, 85(R) - 2017

Relating to a violation regarding the purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor or the misrepresentation of age by a minor; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1999, As Introduced: a positive impact of $2,950,350 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

HB 1999 would change the penalty structure for alcohol related offenses by a minor. Currently a first and second alcohol related offense is punishable as a crime which escalates to a higher penalty on third offense. This legislation would make the first to offenses by minors of certain alcohol related laws subject to civil rather than criminal offenses. A third offense would be a criminal offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor. 

We support making penalties more appropriate to the offense and we support holding youth personally responsible for the commission of these offenses. This bill would accomplish both of these ends. For this reason we support HB 1999.