The proposal to do away with private clubs has the backing of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. At the same time, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, in an effort to appease hospitality leaders who say Utah's liquor laws are confusing to visitors, quietly is pushing the idea of free, two-week membership cards for tourists. Utah residents would still need to be members of a club to order a cocktail.
The MADD proposal is getting a favorable reception from at least one legislator: House Speaker Greg Curtis.
The Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission's 4-to-1 vote directed staff members to write proposed legislation to be forwarded to the Utah Legislature. The law change essentially would turn private clubs into public bars.
Over commissioner Kathryn Balmforth's objections, the board also directed staffers to draft recommendations that would do away with glass partitions, dubbed Zion Curtains, that separate diners from alcoholic beverages in restaurants. Currently, servers are not allowed to pass food or drinks - even nonalcoholic ones - over the barriers.
Commissioner Gordon Strachan, who made both motions, said the partitions make Utah look silly.
Balmforth said everyone "pays the price" when alcohol is readily available to the public. Private clubs in particular act as barriers to drunken driving and underage drinking, she said.
But commission chairman, Sam Granato, said eliminating membership requirements "will create less confusion and make our state more hospitable."
Commissioner Bobbie Coray, who often sided with Balmforth in the past, seconded the motion that would make clubs akin to airport lounges, where alcoholic beverages may be sold with or without food and patrons may be served at a bar or table.
"I came to the conclusion that private clubs aren't working, based on my experience in economic development and listening to the testimony in public hearings," said Coray. "Since their creation some 40 years ago, they've come down to being little more than unnecessary regulations."
Huntsman also supports removing the restaurant barriers.
"The governor is encouraged by the commission's work," said Huntman's spokeswoman Lisa Roskelly. "He sees this as a broader issue that impacts the image of our state."
Under the proposal to eliminate memberships, other current restrictions would remain in place, including population quotas for new liquor licenses and restrictions banning bars within 200 feet of schools, libraries or parks.
Curtis, a Sandy Republican, expressed concern about any change to liquor laws, saying he is fearful that if membership requirements are abolished, imbibers, especially young drinkers, will barhop "buying three drinks here, there and everywhere."
"Those same drinkers could also get behind the wheel, causing more drunk-driving accidents."
Curtis said his mind is not made up, but he is leaning toward allowing temporary memberships for visitors, "which would help tourism without overturning our entire system. I've heard from lots of people who drink, so I know that it isn't hard to get a drink in Utah."
Art Brown, president of MADD's Utah chapter, said temporary club "welcome" cards would be an acceptable alternative to abolishing memberships. He said studies show that drunken driving and other alcohol dangers increase as alcohol becomes more available.
dawn@sltrib.com
What's next?
Proposals commissioners will discuss at their next meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 27:
* A legislation to do away with private club membership fees.
* Recommendations to eliminate glass partitions that separate diners from alcoholic beverages.
* The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control offices are at 1625 S. 900 West in Salt Lake City.
