HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 83

(By Delegates Fletcher, Amores, Angotti, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beach, Boggs, Browning, Butcher, Campbell, Canterbury, Carmichael, Compton, DeLong, Dempsey, Ellem, Ennis, Evans, Fahey, Faircloth, Flanigan, Fleischauer, Frederick, Givens, Hall, Harrison, Hrutkay, Hubbard, Kominar, Kuhn, Leach, Leggett, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Martin, McGraw, Morgan, Paxton, Perry, Pethtel, Pino, Poling, Proudfoot, Prunty, Riggs, Romine, Schadler, Shelton, L. Smith, Stalnaker, Stephens, Susman, R. M. Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Walters, C. White, H. White, Wright and Yeager)


[Introduced March 7, 2002; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to appoint a committee to conduct a study to determine the appropriate mechanism to provide effective enforcement of laws prohibiting underage consumption, including fines and penalties designed to deter underage consumption of alcohol and fines and penalties designed to deter sale of alcohol to underaged persons.

Whereas, Underage consumption of alcohol is a real and present danger to our youth and a problem for society; and
Whereas, Underage consumption of alcohol often leads to injury or harm to persons and property; and
Whereas, It has been reported that some municipal judges in this State incorrectly apply current law so as to encourage underage consumption of alcohol outside of city limits; and
Whereas, Current laws are not effective in deterring underage drinking of alcohol; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the various mechanisms available to deter the underage consumption of alcohol and the sale of alcohol to underage persons, including appropriate penalties and the efficacy of loss of driving privileges as a deterrent; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee shall report to the Legislature its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations no later than the first day of January, two thousand three; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the study and to prepare appropriate reports, recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.