The Tennessee House of Representatives has approved a bill that would require all beer purchases to show ID, regardless of their age, the Associated Press reported May 11. The measure has the support of the state's convenience-store owners.

The measure also would create a voluntary training program for beer sellers, but that part of the bill has caused some controversy because it calls for lower fines on businesses that take part in the program but are later caught selling beer to minors.

"Our biggest concern is a reduction in fines for those who opt into the program," said Tennessee MADD executive director Laura Dial. "That just doesn't make any sense."

The measure passed the House on a 75-20 vote; the Senate approved a previous version on a unanimous vote, but must now reconsider the amended bill. Gov. Phil Bredesen has not taken a position on the bill.

The proposal applies only to beer, not wine or liquor, and exempts restaurants from carding all customers. Some local officials oppose the measure because it allows a state law with weaker penalties for violators to trump stricter local laws on underage sales. "All they're trying to do is take the ability to enforce the law away from us," said Mayor Terry Jones of Millington, Tenn.

Millington's law calls for revoking the license after one offense, but the proposed state law would only take a license away from sellers if they are caught selling to minors twice.