Senate OKs keg tracking

Kegs are about to be regulated by state law: Before you tap it, they have to track it. \nThe Indiana State Senate hopes to crack down on underage drinking by linking alcohol buyers with the keg they purchase.\nThe Senate joined the House in passing a bill requiring tags on kegs, which identify their purchasers. Late last month, Senate Bill 97 survived a House vote. Now, if Gov. Frank O'Bannon signs the bill into law, identification will be mandated on all kegs. \nTechniques may include an engraved number on the metal of the keg, or a bar code on the keg's bottom, said Excise Police Captain Robin Poindexter. The purchaser should expect their name, address and driver's license number to be taken down to identify them as the legal keg purchaser. If a keg is seized at a party where underage drinkers are present, the police will be able to identify and prosecute the purchaser.\nLiquor law enforcement officials expect the Governor to sign and approve the bill soon.\n"The passage of this bill will be helpful in certain circumstances," Poindexter said. "But until the bill passes we won't know how effective or useful it will be."\nThe Excise Police are a division of the Indiana Alcoholic beverage commission. The commission is dedicated to the enforcement of all liquor laws within Indiana.\n"The one concern we do have is the fact that the keg is only registered," Poindexter said. "Most prosecutors need to prove intent in order to prosecute someone supplying alcohol to minors."\nThe keg tracking bill targets college students 21 and older who purchase alcohol for their younger friends. If convicted, offenders of supplying minors with alcohol face the maximum penalty of a $500 fine and a 60-day jail sentence.\nAuthorities are aware of ways around the proposed keg tracking bill. Examples include purchasing cases of beer rather than a keg. This method provides few leads as to the liquor purchaser\'s identity.\nSen. Beverly Gard (R- Greenfield) realizes these loopholes, but said she remains determined in her quest to cut down underage drinking.\n"Kegs are a big part of college liquor business," Gard said. "It's easier to hide a keg from the police than cans."\nGard introduced the legislation and has pushed for its passage. Using supportive testimony from Purdue University, Ball State University and IU employees, as well as students, including fraternity presidents, the bill found the approval of the house, she said.\n"No one is under the illusion that this will solve the problem of underage drinking," Gard said. Currently 16 states have keg tracking available to their excise authorities.\n"Helping identify those people who will supply alcoholic beverages to the underage is the main focus," Gard said.\nThe IU Police Department reported an upward trend concerning campus arrests for liquor law violations over the past three years.\n"The main goal of this bill is to make people of all ages more knowledgeable and responsible," IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said.\nIf passed, the bill would almost certainly decrease the sales of kegs and increase beer case and bottle sales, Minger said.\n"If passed, this bill is not a cure all by any means," Minger said. "But it is a step in the right direction"