Utah's unusual system for regulating alcohol use, including a ban on serving drinks outside of private clubs, could soon be a thing of the past, the Salt Lake Tribune reported June 10.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. wants to abolish the law that requires residents and visitors to go through the motions of joining a club and paying a small fee in order to have a drink in the state. Hospitality firms and economic-development entities in the state support the reform, but the dominant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has long opposed liberalizing alcohol laws in Utah, as well as alcohol use in general.

"The private clubs issue has been on the top of the list for requested changes by the bulk of the businesses in tourism for quite a while," said Nan Anderson of the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition. No concrete legislative proposal has emerged, however, and the LDS Church has neither endorsed or rejected the idea of reforming the state's alcohol laws.

Huntsman has made several new appointments to the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, which is now seen as being more open to reform.

Club fees at Utah bars cost about $16 annually or $4 for a three-week membership. The commission recently voted to research the impact of removing the membership requirement, and public hearings have been planned. Utah's hospitality industry also has laid plans for a statewide referendum on the membership fees.

However, State Senate President John Valentine has said that the membership requirements have served as a deterrent to drunk driving and underage drinking.