Members of the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission blasted HB344, saying it is unnecessary and the current system protects against abuses.

Oda's bill would give the Utah Attorney General's Office the authority to decide whether to seek disciplinary action on cases presented by law enforcement officers. Currently, the staff at the ABC has that authority, and Oda says that creates a conflict of interest.

"It's not about alcohol, it's not about consumption, it's about due process," Oda, R-Clearfield, said.

The legislation is a response to a 2006 investigation of Bogey's Night Club in Ogden, which is in Oda's district, where an undercover officer was found to have made an inappropriate statement to a waitress.

But Gordon Strachan, a liquor commissioner, said that the commission "vigorously opposes this legislation."

"I have not received one call from any licensee who has called me and complained about the treatment they have received from past commissioners or the current group of commissioners," Strachan said.

Oda said the licensees are "absolutely scared to death" of the commission.

Members encouraged Oda to work with the commission to see if they could work out their differences, but sent the bill to the full House for consideration.