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, 2021–2023

State and bill  Details  Year  Status  Industry support 
Alabama

HB 176 

Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18  2022  Enacted  Alabama Retail Association 
Kentucky

HB 252 

Lowers alcohol service age from 20 to 18  2022  Enacted  Kentucky Restaurant Association 
Idaho

SB 1308 

Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 17  2022  Introduced; passed in Senate  Idaho Retail, Restaurant, and Grocery Associations 
Iowa

SF 542 

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

HB 4232 

Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 17  2022  Enacted  Michigan Licensed Beverage Association
New Mexico

HB 255 

Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18  2021  Enacted   
Ohio

SB 102 

Lowers alcohol service age from 19 to 18  Passed in 2021; implemented in 2022  Enacted   
West Virginia

HB 2025 

Lowers alcohol service age from 18 to 16 (for service and bartending) 2021  Enacted   
Wisconsin

AB 286  

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.

View the underlying data on epi.org.