Bill intended to curb 21st birthday binges discussed

The General Affairs Committee heard testimony Jan. 24 on a bill intended to discourage 21st birthday binge drinking.

LB294, sponsored by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, would make it unlawful for a liquor license holder to sell or serve alcohol to any person prior to 6 a.m. on that person’s 21st birthday.

Karpisek said the bill is meant to address the “hour of power” – the time between 12:01 a.m. and bar close on an individual’s 21st birthday. During that hour, he said, young people are traditionally pressured to drink a great deal of alcohol in a short period of time.

The bill is an additional way that the committee and the state’s Liquor Control Commission can help make Nebraska’s alcohol retailers more accountable and more professional, he said.

“This is another way to try to make sure that people don’t get so drunk so fast,” Karpisek said. “Especially when they’re not ready for it.”

Hobert Rupe, executive director of the Liquor Control Commission, testified in support of the bill, saying it would help licensees comply with state law prohibiting them from serving individuals to the point of “visible intoxication.” The problem with the hour of power, he said, is that it does not allow enough time for an individual to exhibit visible signs of intoxication.

Lincoln bar owner Troy Falk also testified in support of the bill, saying his establishment already has a policy against serving 21-year-olds during the time in question.

“We are responsible for them after they’re intoxicated,” he said, adding that the hour of power does nothing more than promote unsafe drinking practices.

“The next day there’s not that rush to get in as many shots as possible,” Falk said. “We’re trying to have a safe drinking environment for everyone.”

Diane Riibe of Project Extra Mile testified in a neutral capacity, saying there is no evidence to show that the change would be effective in curbing binge drinking.

There was no opposition testimony given and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.