Utah Governor Rejects Idea for Database of Bar Customers

Utah Governor Jon Huntsman announced Tuesday that he would not support a proposal to create a statewide database to track patron's visits to bars within Utah borders. The Governor stated that the proposal would unnecessarily deter tourism at a time when the state is attempting to modernize its' liquor laws and attract a higher number of tourists to the area.

Of the proposed bar database, Governor Huntsman stated, "I think it would enhance the oddness of our laws. I think that for most people that is a rather frightening, almost Orwellian, proposition." Current liquor laws in the state of Utah require every customer to fill out an application and pay a fee to enter an establishment that serves liquor. Despite the fact that bars in Utah are open to the public, they are still considered "private clubs" that only members and sponsored guests may utilize.

The statewide database has been publicized by several members of the state legislature as a way to deter bar hopping while compromising with Governor Huntsman on his proposal to eliminate Utah's private club system. Since taking office in 2005, Huntsman has voiced his opposition to the private club system saying it is a deterrent to tourists as well as people considering moving to the state. According to the Governor, it is time to bring Utah into a modern era where the state trusts those legally allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.

In response to Governor Huntsman's attempts to disassemble the private club system, Utah's bars have offered to scan customer's drivers' licenses but not enter them into a database. Many bar owners recognize that creating a database of bar customers could potentially be as bad for business as the private club system. However, Utah state lawmakers have gone as far as to suggest that the statewide database information could be kept as long as several weeks.

State legislators have attempted to rally support for the bar database by hyping the database's possible usefulness for law enforcement officials in DUI investigations. The problem with this proposal is that the database would not provide information on whether or not alcoholic beverages were purchased at the establishment, only that a person had their license scanned there. However, Senate President Michael Waddoups has suggested, "Perhaps it would be a tool for law enforcement if there was a DUI incident to find out at least the number of establishments that someone had frequented."

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