Missouri lawmaker seeks to ban sale of cold beer
By CHRIS BLANK
Associated Press Writer

A state senator wants to force Missouri stores to sell warm beer.

Under a bill by Sen. Bill Alter, grocery and convenience stores would
risk losing their liquor licenses if they sold beer colder than 60
degrees. The intent is to cut down on drunken driving by making it
less tempting to pop open a beer after leaving the store. “The only
reason why beer would need to be cold is so that it can be consumed
right away,” Alter, who has been a police offer for more than 20
years, said Thursday.

He said the idea came from a fifth-grade student in Jefferson County
who was participating in a program to teach elementary students about
state government. He sought their suggestions for new laws and chose
the cold beer ban from a list of the top three ideas. “I thought it
had the best chance at getting legislative attention,” said Alter,
R-High Ridge. “Plus, I think it's a good idea whether or not other
people do.”...

Alter said the student who suggested the legislation would be a
witness at the bill's hearing, which hasn't been scheduled. Last year,
a fourth-grade class from Kansas City submitted a proposal to make the
American bullfrog the state amphibian. It passed in the final moments
of the 2005 legislative session.

Alter said the jump from naming state animals to restricting how
alcohol can be purchased didn't really surprise him. “You never know
what's on the mind of young kids - some of them are pretty smart,” he
said...

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/...0010606031.txt