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A proposal to use fines collected from liquor violations to enforce the state's alcohol laws died Wednesday amid concerns that public-safety enforcement shouldn't be tied to how many violations can be found.
SB72, sponsored Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, would have earmarked $180,000 of the fines to the attorney general's office for use in liquor enforcement. Without it, Stevenson said, the office might not have the staff it needs to do the work.
But senators expressed concerns about making liquor enforcement dependent on how many violations can be found.
"To fund it from a dedicated source like this, I think, is the wrong direction," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, who said if the office needs money, the Legislature should fund it through regular budgets.
The bill was defeated 14-12.