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Committee advances bill to let 18‑year‑old restaurant workers deliver alcoholic drinks to tables
Summary
A House committee adopted a committee substitute and passed House Bill 1062, which allows restaurant workers age 18 to bring beer or mixed drinks from the bar to customer tables and clarifies that drinks may be carried in their original containers. The measure passed in committee 6‑1 and will move to another committee.
A House committee voted to advance House Bill 1062 after adopting a committee substitute that changes how restaurants may staff alcohol service.
The bill, which the committee passed on a 6‑1 vote, would allow a restaurant employee who is at least 18 years old to bring a mixed drink or beer from the bar to a customer’s table. The committee also adopted language allowing service from an original container — for example, a can of beer — rather than requiring the drink to be poured into a glass before being delivered.
Committee members were told the language was negotiated with the restaurant association and the ABLE/commission named in the bill’s discussion. One committee member asked for clarification on the changes after receiving the proposed committee substitute late. That member said, “It's my first time in the committee. So thanks,” and asked, “What exactly did it change from the other to the, to this 1?”
A presenter explained the substitute was intended to simplify service for restaurants: it ensures shaker tins and original containers are covered so staff can carry a can of beer or a mixed drink directly to a table without extra handling.
A vice chair raised a related point about age verification, saying the committee was distinguishing the age of the server from the age of the person who verifies patrons’ IDs, noting the verifier would still be 21 or older.
The presenter also told the committee there currently is no state law specifying how old a person must be to check an ID, and recommended that restaurants “self‑police” and set their own ID‑checking guidelines rather than creating a statewide regulatory standard.
After no further debate, the committee recorded a vote and the chair declared the bill passed in committee with six ayes and one nay. The chair said the bill will head to another committee for further consideration.
