Council taps into keg debate

Members of the Chapel Hill Town Council reiterated their support of beer keg registration Monday but were critical of recent bills introduced in the N.C. General Assembly to establish the controversial policy.

The council received information about two bills introduced in the legislature in late March that would place restrictions on the sale of kegs in an attempt to curb underage drinking.

N.C. House Bill 855, whose primary sponsor is Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, requires that a special purchase-transportation permit be obtained to buy kegs.

Insko’s bill also states that the purchaser must state on the keg’s label where the alcohol will be consumed and authorizes a local Alcoholic Beverage Control board to request a criminal history check of the buyer.

Some council members criticized these provisions, saying that obtaining this type of information infringes upon the privacy of law-abiding consumers and retailers.

“It inhibits the legal purchase of alcohol, and it harms retail establishments,” said council member Cam Hill. “Just label the keg and let it go.”

Some council members said the extra provisions might make it more likely that consumers would purchase hard liquor instead of beer.

“Liquor is more intoxicating than beer,” said council member Mark Kleinschmidt. “But you don’t need a permit.”

Council member Bill Strom said it is unlikely that people planning a last-minute party would have enough time to go through the bill’s proposed process to obtain a keg.

“That extra step makes it more likely to buy hard liquor,” Strom said. “The ABC permit might be an unnecessary tool.”

Despite their grievances, council members said they prefer Insko’s bill to House Bill 892, sponsored by Rep. Martha Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, which would establish regulations on the sale of malt beverage kegs.

The bill also calls for kegs to be permanently numbered and requires buyers to fill out a form by the state Alcohol Law Enforcement division, stating the date of consumption.

Bill Patterson, senior program manager at the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, spoke to the council about the recent legislation and the benefits of keg registration policies, which already have been adopted in 23 states.

“It’s one tool in a toolbox of many strategies,” he said.

Patterson said Insko’s bill would have a more lasting impact than Alexander’s.

Insko’s bill has been referred to the House Committee on Finance, and Alexander’s bill has been referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

On March 7, the council agreed to support keg registration as a part of its 2005 legislative requests.

Chapel Hill police Chief Gregg Jarvies has been mobilizing support for the policy since that time, arguing that the law is even more necessary in a college town.

“It’s not a cure-all,” he said of keg registration. “But it will help in the overall attempts to control underage drinking.”

He said the council brought up some valid points in its discussion Monday.

Jarvies also expressed concerns with parts of Insko’s bill such as the required background checks.

Although council members agreed that they would continue to support keg registration, they agreed to communicate their concerns about Insko’s bill to local and state representatives.

“I don’t see the point in knowing where the party will be,” said council member Sally Greene.

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