A proposed amendment to North Dakota's liquor control laws sparked significant discussion during a recent meeting of the House Political Subdivisions Committee. Representative Ben Koppelman introduced changes aimed at refining compliance checks for bars, particularly concerning the use of fake IDs and the presence of minors.

Koppelman emphasized the need for "guardrails" around compliance checks, following concerns raised by bar owners about excessive police presence during inspections. The amendment seeks to allow law enforcement to conduct checks without overwhelming establishments with officers, which can create an intimidating atmosphere. Koppelman clarified that while minors can still be sent undercover to ensure bars are not serving underage patrons, the police cannot conduct broad searches without reasonable suspicion.

A key aspect of the amendment involves changing the penalty for using a fake ID from an infraction to a Class B misdemeanor. This shift aims to encourage minors to admit wrongdoing rather than face harsher penalties. However, this proposal faced pushback from committee members who expressed concern that such a significant penalty could disproportionately affect young individuals, particularly college students.

The committee also discussed the historical context of police interactions with bars, noting that some establishments had previously faced multiple complaints regarding underage drinking. Koppelman acknowledged that while there had been issues, the current police strategy aims to balance enforcement with the need for a welcoming environment in downtown Fargo.

As the committee deliberates, the proposed changes highlight ongoing tensions between law enforcement practices and the operational realities of local bars. The outcome of this amendment could reshape how compliance checks are conducted and how underage drinking is penalized in North Dakota.