AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 57, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to biennial reports by the alcoholic beverages commission.
Impact
The bill seeks to enhance awareness and legislative focus on alcohol consumption and its associated risks, including underage drinking and alcohol-related traffic incidents. By mandating regular reporting, it aims to address public health concerns by collecting and presenting data on violations, DUI arrests, treatment admissions, and related hospitalizations. This approach provides lawmakers with the necessary insights to inform future legislation and potential reforms aimed at improving public safety and health.
Summary
Senate Bill 2714 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 57, Chapter 1, Part 2, to establish mandatory biennial reporting by the Alcoholic Beverages Commission. Starting in 2025, the commission is tasked with submitting a report to the General Assembly by February 15 of each odd-numbered year. This report will focus on measures aimed at preventing underage drinking and drunk driving while providing comprehensive data on various alcohol-related issues within the state.
Contention
While the bill primarily serves to promote public health, it may face some contention regarding the resources available to the Alcoholic Beverages Commission for fulfilling the reporting requirements. Questions may arise about the feasibility of the commission producing comprehensive reports within existing resources, as stipulated in the bill. There could also be discussions around the adequacy of the collected data and how it informs legislative action, particularly concerning efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of alcohol consumption in the state.