Alaska Legislature OKs 18-year-olds serving alcohol in some venues

JUNEAU — The Alaska Legislature on Wednesday approved a measure that would allow 18-year-olds to serve alcohol in some venues.

The Legislature passed an almost-identical version of the bill last year. It was approved by lawmakers after the constitutional deadline for the end of the legislative session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the bill, along with four others, arguing that they could face legal challenges.

Senate Bill 15 would allow 18- to 20-year-olds to serve alcohol under supervision in restaurants, breweries and hotels, but not bars or liquor stores. Currently, Alaskans must be 21 or older to serve alcohol in those venues.

The measure also adds a warning wherever alcohol is sold of its risks of causing cancer.

Supporters of the measure said lowering the age limit to serve alcohol would help address some of the Alaska hospitality industry’s labor challenges. Anchorage Democratic Rep. Zack Fields said the policy change would help the industry for the upcoming summer tourism season.

“For young adults who are attending college outside of Alaska, this bill increases the likelihood that they can return and work during the summer season and get really good-paying jobs,” he said before Wednesday’s final vote.

Anchorage independent Rep. Alyse Galvin supported the bill and said she worked in restaurants during college. She said being unable to serve alcohol meant she earned less money.

The House passed the measure Wednesday on a 32-8 vote. All eight no votes were by minority Republicans. They did not explain their opposition during floor debates. The Senate passed the measure unanimously in February.

Wasilla GOP Rep. Cathy Tilton voted against the measure. She said after the floor session that she supported a right to work, but she was concerned about introducing younger Alaskans to alcohol, considering the state’s high rates of addiction and abuse.

Only three U.S. states — Alaska, Utah and Nevada — require alcohol servers to be at least 21 years old.

Sarah Oates, president of the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers Association, or CHARR, said that Alaska’s age limit has caused labor challenges for the hospitality industry.

“Employers struggle to promote or retain quality employees who are 18-20 years of age because they are prohibited from serving alcohol or supervising other employees who serve or sell alcohol,” she said. “Alaska is not competitive in this space, and our industry is experiencing an outmigration of young workers.”

The measure also requires new language to be added to warning signs wherever alcohol is sold. Currently, those signs say that drinking alcohol “during pregnancy can cause birth defects.”

SB 15 would require an additional warning about cancer risks, stating on signs that “alcohol use can cause cancer, including breast and colon cancers.”

Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy in January called for cancer risk warnings to be added to alcoholic beverages. Adopting Murthy’s advisory nationally would require a measure passed by Congress.

Anchorage Democratic Rep. Andrew Gray, a physician assistant, supported adding the cancer warning signs last year. On Wednesday, Gray said he drinks alcohol, and that he isn’t trying to demonize alcohol.

“Rather, I just want Alaskans to make informed decisions about their health,” he said.

The Legislature has now approved two of five vetoed bills passed last year after the constitutional deadline for the end of the session. In February, lawmakers again approved a $75 million bonding package for a new cruise ship dock in Seward.

After Wednesday’s vote, SB 15 now advances to the governor’s desk for his consideration.