Keg tracking near

Next week the Indiana State Senate will vote on a bill requiring identification tags on all kegs of beer, which would allow police to track the keg to the purchaser. \nIf enacted, the new legislation will require all kegs to have individual identification numbers. At the time of purchase, retailers would record the name, address, telephone number and driver's license number of the purchaser. The law would not apply to restaurants or bars licensed to serve alcohol. Under the bill, if police confiscate a keg at a party that is serving alcohol to minors, they would be able to identify and prosecute the purchaser. \nCurrently 16 states have keg-tracking laws. \nSen. Beverly Gard, R-Greenfield, is the sponsor of Bill 97. \n"I feel this will help give law enforcement and University officials tools to make adults responsible for their actions," Gard said in a press release. "This bill will help save lives."\nGard said she is confident that passage is likely. The bill overwhelmingly passed in the House 96-1.\nThe Bloomington community and IU have been very supportive of the bill, Gard said.\nLaw enforcement and university officials told lawmakers it is difficult to determine who purchased a keg that provides alcohol to minors. IU, Purdue University and Ball State University officials provided testimony in the committee in support of the legislation, Gard said.\n"We had students, both high school and college, as well as fraternity members, law enforcement and addiction service representatives speak at both committee meetings in favor of the bill," Gard said.\nLawmakers and University officials agreed that alcohol consumption by minors is a serious problem. \n"Underage drinking has become a problem of epidemic proportions in Indiana," Gard said.\nThe IUPD reports an upward trend in on-campus arrests for liquor law violations. It reported 199 arrests in 1998, 306 in 1999 and 404 in 2000. \nRep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington, who is a co-sponsor of the bill, said she is not under the illusion the this legislation will solve the problem of underage drinking.\n"This is not a total answer," Welch said. "It is just one piece of the puzzle."\nThe keg tags may make buyers more accountable, but it is also possible that they will only persuade people to buy cases instead of kegs, IUPD Lt. Jerry Minger said.\n"I would say this bill will result in the purchase of alcohol in different forms," Minger said.\nWelch said the bill won't solve the problem entirely.\n"Kids will continue to find a way around the law," she said. "This is just one avenue"