SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's liquor commission will increase by two members and the governor will have direct oversight of operations under a bill moving to the Senate floor.
Republican Sen. John Valentine of Orem says Senate Bill 66 will increase the current five-member liquor commission to seven.
Valentine says the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control director will be appointed by the governor for a four-year term. Currently, the commission appoints the director.
The Senate Workforce Services Committee passed the bill unanimously Monday.
House Bill 354 also passed a committee and now goes to the full House for debate.
Republican bill sponsor Rep. Ryan Wilcox of Ogden says revenue from the bill will mean that the 86 percent mark-up on alcohol will be collected by the Tax Commission instead of the DABC.