State wants to crack down on bars that overserve adults and serve minors

Cracking down on bars that overserve adults and serve minors is the topic of a hearing that starts at 8 a.m. today in Las Cruces.

The state wants to make it easier to revoke bars’ licenses when they break those laws, changes the industry says would hurt their ability to do business.

If bars were taking care of the problem themselves, tougher regulations wouldn’t be needed. Most are, but some are not.

Among those who support the new regulations are the parents of Steve Judd, one of two New Mexico State University students who died during the 2004-2005 school year of alcohol poisoning. He consumed at least 14 drinks in 90 minutes during his 21^st-birthday celebration, and had a blood alcohol level of at least 0.42 before he died.

His family supports the changes, and is planning to sue Hurricane Alley, one of two Las Cruces bars Judd visited during the birthday celebration.

The state is also seeking action against the bar, claiming that Judd was overserved, according to a weekend article in the Albuquerque Journal.

Today’s is the second of three hearings around the state. Wednesday’s hearing in Albuquerque lasted five hours, the Journal reported. Another is planned Friday in Santa Fe.

The proposal would allow the state to revoke licenses after four citations for serving minors or two for overserving adults in a 12-month period. Current regulations allow revocations after five citations in a year for either offense.

In addition, the proposal would make it illegal for employees to drink while they’re working, which should be a no-brainer.

Legally, someone with a blood alcohol level of 0.14 should not be served any more alcohol. You can’t legally drive if your blood alcohol level is 0.08.

The proposal is likely to draw opposition from some legislators. There are several who own bars or whose families own bars. However, legislative action is not required for the state to enact the new regulations.