Utah bill would undo universal ID check mandate at restaurants

• If the new bill passes, restaurants can return to the old policy and skip ID checks for customers who appear to be over 35.
• Universal ID checks regardless of how old a customer looks would still be required at bars and stores selling alcohol.

The big picture: The new law prompted eye rolls from many people already fed up with Utah's strict drinking rules, which include bans on happy hour specials and limits on pours of base liquors to 1.5 ounces.

What they're saying: "That was never the intent of the bill," H.B. 59's sponsor, Rep. Steve Eliason (R-Sandy) told the House Business, Labor, and Commerce Committee on Friday.

• Michele Corigliano, executive director of the Salt Lake Area Restaurant Association, voiced support for the bill during the hearing.
• She said it's been difficult receiving repeated calls from business owners who turned away large groups of customers because a senior member of the group wasn't carrying an ID.

What's next: The bill passed unanimously out of the panel and now heads to the House floor for further debate.