Alcohol could be permitted in charter vehicles

A bill that would allow limousine and private bus passengers to consume alcohol advanced from general file Feb. 17.

Under LB281, introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, passengers would be allowed to consume alcoholic beverages if their chartered limousine or bus is in a public parking area or on any state highway as long as the driver is prohibited from consuming alcohol and it is not readily accessible to the driver.

“I think that people are trying to be smart about going on trips to football games or weddings and having a designated driver,” Karpisek said. “I think people are trying to do the right thing by not drinking and driving, but they are breaking the law and don’t even know they are breaking the law.”

“I don’t think that makes a lot of sense,” he said.

The bill advanced on a 31-1 vote.