PHOENIX โ Arizona lawmakers want to make it easier for newly minted adults from other states to get a drink at a bar or pick up a six-pack of beer.
Without dissent, the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved legislation to allow those who sell liquor, beer and wine to honor certain out-of-state driverโs licenses as proof someone is 21. The measure now needs approval by the full House.
Rep. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu, said the problem is that the state Department of Transportation issues two different kinds of licenses.
The one most familiar to adults is horizontal. But anyone younger than 21 gets a license that is vertically oriented. Thatโs supposed to make it easier for merchants to know who is of legal drinking age.
Those licenses expire shortly after someone turns 21, replaced by an adult license.
The problem, Borrelli said, is some other states that also issue under-21 licenses allow the owners to keep them until they are due to be renewed, perhaps several years later. But he said Arizona law makes the sale of alcoholic beverages to someone with a vertical license a $1,000 fine โ even if the date of birth shows the person is old enough to drink.
โI think thatโs kind of odd,โ Borrelli told colleagues.
โHe can drive with it, he can go purchase a firearm with it, he can do everything with it โ except go get a beer,โ he said. Borrelli said that results in would-be patrons walking out of Arizona bars and restaurants, taking their friends.
โIโm just thinking how much tax dollars is going out the door,โ he said.
HB 2031 would specifically allow Arizona merchants that sell liquor to accept those vertical licenses from other states as long as they verify the person has since turned 21.
