S.B. 680: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - ALCOHOL ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Senate Bill 680 (as introduced 9-24-97)

Date Completed: 2-2-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Act to prohibit the consumption or possession of alcohol on school property. A violation of the bill would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 120 days' imprisonment, a maximum fine of $200, or both. The bill specifies that it would not prohibit an individual from being convicted of or found responsible for any other violation of law that arose out of the same transaction as a violation of the bill.

The bill would not apply to the consumption or possession of alcohol as part of a generally recognized religious service held on school property.

Under the bill, "school" would mean a public, private, denominational, or parochial school that offered developmental kindergarten, kindergarten, or any grade from first through 12th. "School property" would mean a building, playing field, or property used for school purposes to impart instruction to children or used for functions and events sponsored by a school, but would not include a building used primarily for adult education or college extension courses.

Proposed MCL 436.34b - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

Senate Bill 680 would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on local government. The proposed legislation would create a new misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of not more than 120 days and/or a fine of not more than $200. Thus, local government would have either increased costs of incarceration or additional fee revenue, or both. Costs of incarceration vary by county, and the number of people possibly subject to conviction under the proposed legislation is unknown at this time.

- Fiscal Analyst: K. Firestone

S9798\S680SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.