NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee lawmaker withdrew a bill that would have made it illegal to sell cold beer in stores across the state.
WSMV in Nashville reported Rep. Ron Gant (R-Piperton) had second thoughts about a bill he introduced during the legislative session after it was met with a frosty reception.
The bill, HB 2845, originally sought to prohibit licensed stores from selling beer that was specifically cold or refrigerated.
Convenience stores and other locations that sold cold beer were in an uproar after hearing about the bill. Gant said in a statement his original intentions were to reduce DUIs but said he realized the bill would have been "unfair to businesses," so he's withdrawn it and is working on changing the scope entirely to focus on other ways to curb drunk driving.
“My goal with the Tennessee Prevention of Drunk Driving Act has always been to raise awareness and offer preventative measures to curb drunk driving in our state. While the final version of the bill is still being drafted, it will not include any language that prevents the sale of cold beer in Tennessee. This was one of several ideas being discussed by stakeholders across our state, however, I do not want to infringe on law-abiding citizens or be unfair to businesses," he said.
He said the amended bill will require the Tennessee Impaired Driving Council to create a report on impaired driving in the state and come up with recommendations to curb DUI deaths.
"The commission would also work with law enforcement to streamline responses to fatal crashes involving alcohol and trace where the offender obtained their alcohol from. A task force is being considered as well that would include members from various departments on how to combat drunk driving statewide," he said "I believe we can find proactive, common-sense ways that keep our roadways safe and prevent drunk driving fatalities in Tennessee.”
