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Panel changes, OKs bill targeting minors drinking

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March 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill originally drafted to make it illegal for landowners to allow drinking on their property by anyone under 21 has been changed. The House Public Safety Committee approved an amended version of the bill Thursday that now limits offenses to those who permit people younger than 18 to drink on their property. The bill exempts property managers who aren’t aware of minors drinking The panel approved the bill 15-to-5. It now goes to the House floor.

First violations would carry a simple misdemeanor charge and a $200 fine. Subsequent offenses carry $500 fines. Rep. Deborah Berry, a Democrat from Waterloo, says she’s worried about how the measure would be enforced. Republican Rep. Jarad Klein, of Keota, says the amended bill was an improvement over the earlier version.