Alcohol Reform Bill

[MasterJedi]

Alcohol Reform Bill


1. This act shall apply in the District of Columbia and in federal territories which do not form part of any region.
2. Recognizing that persons between the ages of 18 and 21 are eligible to serve in defense of the country, vote, and consent to sexual relations, the Senate wishes to correct an inconsistency by reforming the age at which restrictions on alcohol are removed.
3. The age at which one may legally purchase, possess, and consume alcohol is hereby lowered to 18.
4. Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume small quantities of alcohol for religious or medical purposes if under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
____________________________________________________________

Sponsor: Sen. MasterJedi

[© tweed]

It's a start.

[jerusalemcar5]

It's a start.

^^
Alcoholic.

[Јas]

I am in favour of having the drinking age lowered from 21 to 18. I would wonder though whether the term "small" in clause 4 could cause difficulties. After all, what one person considers small another my not. I would suggest that the clause would be simpler and more effective without it.

I would thus table the following amendment to clause 4, making it much simpler andallowing alcohol consumption by minors in any circumstance with parental supervision.

Proposed change to clause 4:
Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

[Ebowed]

Proposed change to clause 4:
Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

No problems at all from my corner, although some Senators might not support it.

[Democratic Hawk]

Proposed change to clause 4:
Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

While the small quantities is vague, I am sympathetic to your amendment but I'm wary of parents and guardians, who might not exercise this responsibly

'Hawk'

[Јas]

No problems at all from my corner,

although some Senators might not support it.

I expect so. Could be close, but I think it may just pass.

While the small quantities is vague, I am sympathetic to your amendment but I'm wary of parents and guardians, who might not exercise this responsibly

'Hawk'

I'd be interested in hearing specifically your concerns as to the potential irresponsibleness involved. I do think that in the vast majority of cases there would be no problem.

[jerusalemcar5]

No problems at all from my corner,

although some Senators might not support it.

I expect so. Could be close, but I think it may just pass.

While the small quantities is vague, I am sympathetic to your amendment but I'm wary of parents and guardians, who might not exercise this responsibly

'Hawk'

I'd be interested in hearing specifically your concerns as to the potential irresponsibleness involved. I do think that in the vast majority of cases there would be no problem.

I know of many parents at my school who provide large quantities of alcohol to their kids for their parties and even party with their children as they all get drunk together.  However, I do not oppose your amendment since I don't think alcohol should be restricted at any age, even if I strongly oppose alcohol on a moral and health level.

Also I offer an amendment to Clause 4 as well:

4.  Persons under the age of 18 shall be allowed to consume small*(only inmclude if Jas's amendment fails) alcohol under the supervision of a parent, guardian, or religious leader.

I add that because I know at my synagogue some kids come alone to services and this law would prevent them from doing Kiddush.

[Democratic Hawk]

I'd be interested in hearing specifically your concerns as to the potential irresponsibleness involved. I do think that in the vast majority of cases there would be no problem.

I think it speaks for itself. The fact is a some parents are irresponsible; hence, I throw caution to the wind. Of course, the vast majority of parents would indeed be responsible; on that we can agree. As I've said, I'm sympathetic to your amendment and unlikely to oppose it

I suspect some irresponsible parents will act irresponsibly regardless of what the law says

'Hawk'

[MasterJedi]

I hereby open up the vote on this amendment. Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

Proposed change to clause 4:
Persons under 18 shall be allowed to consume alcohol under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

[MasterJedi]

Aye

[Jake]

Nay

[Virginian87]

Nay.  I have read of several instances of irresponsible parents who will allow their kids to consume far more alcohol than they should.  I do not support this amendment.

[bgwah]

abstain

[jerusalemcar5]

Aye.

[Jake]

Nay.  I have read of several instances of irresponsible parents who will allow their kids to consume far more alcohol than they should.  I do not support this amendment.

That's pretty much how I see it.

I'd support eliminating the drinking age entirely if the penalties for irresponsible drinking are significantly increased BTW.

[jerusalemcar5]

Nay.  I have read of several instances of irresponsible parents who will allow their kids to consume far more alcohol than they should.  I do not support this amendment.

That's pretty much how I see it.

I'd support eliminating the drinking age entirely if the penalties for irresponsible drinking are significantly increased BTW.

^^^
So would I.

[Ebowed]

Nay.  I have read of several instances of irresponsible parents who will allow their kids to consume far more alcohol than they should.

This happens regardless of whether it's legal or not to do so.

[Democratic Hawk]

As I've said, I'm sympathetic to the amendment and won't oppose it, but there's still that niggling doubt concerning irresponsibility , therefore I abstain on the amendment

Should the amendment pass, however, I will be voting in favor of the final Bill

I'm essentially in agreement with Senators Jake and jerusalemcar5 on increasing the penalties as regards irresponsible drinking; however, I understand that may require new legislation rather than being added as a further amendment to this Bill

'Hawk'

[WMS]

Aye. If you can in theory be drafted at 18, you can bloody well drink. I would also support increasing the penalties for irresponsible drinking.

[ilikeverin]

Nope on the amendment

[Јas]

Aye

[MasterJedi]

Earl's vote will decide this.

[minionofmidas]

Earl's vote will decide this.

Tally's 4 yes, 3 nay, 2 abstains if I counted right?

[MasterJedi]

Earl's vote will decide this.

Tally's 4 yes, 3 nay, 2 abstains if I counted right?

Yes, that's correct. If Earl votes Nay it'll be tied and we'll wait a week for the amendment to fail. -_-