Senate bill seeks to address nuisance bars

DES MOINES – A Senate committee Tuesday passed legislation that backers say should help law enforcement officers deal with nuisance bars.

The Senate Commerce Committee agreed today to amend House File 788 to make bar and tavern owners responsible for illegal drug dealing, prostitution, brawls or other law-breaking activities that might occur on parking lots or other areas adjacent to the licensed premises.

But a trio of Republican senators opposed the revised measure out of concern that the language still would create too many “gray areas” regarding what outside activities might be deemed the responsibility of an establishment that held a state liquor license.

Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said the language attempts to get at a small number of drinking establishments where law officers are repeatedly called to investigate reports of under-aged drinking or criminal activity occurring on adjacent property under the control of the bar or tavern.

McCoy said the new version was narrowed significantly from a previous version that attempted to bring disciplinary action against a bar owner's state liquor licenses for knowing but failing to report to police criminal activity in areas next to their businesses. The bill exempts grocery stores, convenience stores or other businesses that sell alcoholic beverages but not for on-premise consumption.

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