Efforts to roll back protections for young people are often supported by industry groups: Status and industry support of state legislation to reduce alcohol service age, 2021β2023
State and bill | Details | Year | Status | Industry support |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18 | 2022 | Enacted | Alabama Retail Association |
Kentucky | Lowers alcohol service age from 20 to 18 | 2022 | Enacted | Kentucky Restaurant Association |
Idaho | Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 17 | 2022 | Introduced; passed in Senate | Idaho Retail, Restaurant, and Grocery Associations |
Iowa | Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 16 | 2023 | Enacted | Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association; Iowa Restaurant Association; Opportunity Solutions Project (Foundation for Government Accountability); Americans for Prosperity (see Note for full list) |
Michigan | Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 17 | 2022 | Enacted | Michigan Licensed Beverage Association |
New Mexico | Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18 | 2021 | Enacted | |
Ohio | Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18 | Passed in 2021; implemented in 2022 | Enacted | |
West Virginia | Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 16 (for service and bartending) | 2021 | Enacted | |
Wisconsin | Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 14 | 2023 | Introduced |
Notes: Other industry group supporters for the Iowa bill include Fareway Stores, Inc.; Home Builders Association of Iowa; Iowa National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB); Iowa Farm Equipment Dealers Association; Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI); and Iowa Travel Industry Partners. State law varies with respect to the types of establishments in which youth are permitted to serve alcohol. In Alabama, Iowa, and New Mexico, the new laws still prohibit youth alcohol service in bars or establishments where alcohol is the primary revenue source. In other states, the new laws apply to a wider range of establishments licensed to sell alcohol, inclusive of both restaurants and bars.
Source: EPI analysis of state legislation.