Md. Bill Allowing Underage Military Drinking Dies in Committee

A Maryland bill that proposed allowing 18- to 20-year-old members of the military to drink has died in committee.

All members of the Maryland Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee except sponsor Sen. Ron Young (D-Frederick) voted to give the legislation an unfavorable report.

Young's bill would have allowed active-duty service members with valid military IDs who are at least 18-years-old to be served beer and wine at bars and restaurants.

A fiscal and policy note from the General Assembly's Department of Legislative Services said the bill would cost the Maryland Department of Transportation about $30.7 million in annual federal funding, because the state would not be in compliance with the Federal Uniform Drinking Age Act of 1984.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program strongly opposed the bill, saying that supporting troops and supporting the national minimum drinking age -- 21 -- are not the same thing.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us