Keeping Law SimpleLegislation, clearly explained
Back to Wyoming
Wyoming2009Did Not Pass

HB0274

Wyoming House Bill 0274: Underage Drinking

Last scannedOct 18, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This bill would create new offenses for people under 21 who try to enter liquor areas or possess and consume alcohol, while allowing specific exceptions for medical, religious, and employment purposes.

What it does

  • Creates a new offense for people under 21 who attempt to purchase alcohol, solicit others to purchase it, possess it, consume it, or have measurable alcohol in their body.
  • Allows people under 21 to possess or consume alcohol for medicinal purposes if provided by a parent, legal guardian, physician, or dentist.
  • Allows people under 21 to possess or consume alcohol as part of a church's or religious organization's religious services.
  • Allows people aged 18 to 20 to serve alcohol at licensed restaurants as part of their job, provided they do not mix or dispense the beverages.
  • Allows people under 21 to possess alcohol when making a delivery as part of their employment.
  • Defines specific forms of identification that serve as prima facie evidence of a person's age and identity.
  • Establishes that evidence of intoxication or measurable alcohol concentration on a portable breath testing device is prima facie evidence of a violation.
  • Defines 'alcohol' as any substance that is or contains alcohol and allows labels on containers to be used as evidence in court.

Who it affects

  • People under the age of 21 in Wyoming.
  • Parents and legal guardians of people under 21.
  • Physicians and dentists who provide medicinal alcohol.
  • Restaurants that hold licenses to serve alcohol.
  • Employers who hire people under 21 to deliver or serve alcohol.

Limits and unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was indefinitely postponed in February 2009, so these changes were not made into law.
  • The bill text is a working draft, so the final language might have been different if it had passed.
  • The bill does not specify the exact fines or jail time for the new offenses, only that they are misdemeanors.

Plain language

Terms to know

Prima facie evidence
Evidence that is accepted as true unless someone provides proof to the contrary.
Misdemeanor
A minor crime that usually results in a fine or short jail time, not a long prison sentence.
Liquor dispensing room
A store or area specifically licensed to sell alcohol.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Official bill pageIntroduced textOfficial digestCurrent bill text

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 8, 2:08 AM

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker explains that the bill fixes legal loopholes where cases are dismissed because prosecutors cannot distinguish between alcoholic and malt beverages, and it clarifies laws regarding consumption in private versus public places.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:19:57 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because it extends criminal liability into private homes for individuals over 18, which he believes is an extreme public policy measure that goes too far.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:29:04 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker expresses concern that without a clear family exception, young people could be charged for consuming alcohol at home or during family celebrations like weddings.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:29:47 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports an amendment to the bill to explicitly add a family exception, ensuring parents can legally allow their children to consume alcohol in their presence without confusion.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:31:48 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment because it clarifies that consumption in the presence of parents is legal, resolving conflicting interpretations by circuit courts regarding possession versus consumption.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:33:28 Watch the statement
Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the amendment to preserve cultural family traditions involving alcohol, believing that potential unintended consequences are addressed elsewhere in the bill.

Public statementFloor statement at 1:37:19 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

2 roll calls

H Failed CoW; Indef Postponed 18-42-0-0-02009-02-04 · House18 yes 42 no
Yes
18
No
42
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 18

Allen M JaggiH18Del McOmieH54Edward BuchananH04Elaine HarveyH26George BagbyH15Joseph M BarbutoH48Kathleen DavisonH20Keith M GingeryH23Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mary A ThroneH11Michael K MaddenH40Owen PetersenH19Richard L CannadyH06Robert M McKimH21Rodney "Pete" AndersonH10Seth A CarsonH45Steve HarshmanR · H37Timothy M StubsonH56

No 42

Amy L EdmondsH12Bernadine CraftH17Bill ThompsonH60Bryan K PedersenH07Catherine R ConnollyH13Colin SimpsonH24David R MillerH55Debbie HammonsH27Dn.Erin E Mrs. MercerH53Frank D PeasleyH03Frank PhilpH34Glenn W MonizH46Jack D Landon Jr.H30James A RoscoeH22James W ByrdH44John D Bonner Jr.H25John W PattonH29Ken A EsquibelH41Kermit C BrownH14Lisa A SheppersonH58Lori A MillinH08Mark SemlekH01Mary W HalesH36Matt TeetersH05Michael A GilmoreH59Pat ChildersH50Pete JorgensenH16Peter S IllowayH42Robert A BrechtelH38Rosie M BergerH51Ross DiercksH02Roy CoheeH35Saundra MeyerH49, S15Stanley L BlakeH39Sue E WallisH52Thomas A LockhartH57Timothy P HallinanH32Tom Lubnau IIH31William "Jeb" StewardH47W. Patrick P GogglesH33Zwonitzer
H01 Recommended Amend and Do Pass 8-1-0-0-02009-01-30 · House8 yes 1 no
Yes
8
No
1
Absent
0
Excused
0
Conflict
0

Yes 8

Frank D PeasleyH03George BagbyH15John W PattonH29Joseph M BarbutoH48Keith M GingeryH23Lorraine K QuarbergH28Mary A ThroneH11Richard L CannadyH06

No 1

Erin E Mrs. MercerH53

Official activity

Bill history

  1. H Failed CoW; Indef PostponedHouse
  2. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  3. H Amendments AdoptedHouse
  4. Amendment AdoptedHouse
  5. H Placed on General FileHouse
  6. H01 Recommended Amend and Do PassHouse
  7. H Introduced and Referred to H01House
  8. H Received for IntroductionHouse
  9. Bill Number AssignedLSO

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

HB0274HW001

Adopted Committee of the Whole by MERCER

HB0274HS001

Adopted Standing Committee by H01