Two bills faced very different receptions in the state Legislature Thursday, dealing with alcohol and ethanol fuel.
The state Senate advanced a bill allowing more forms of identification to be used when purchasing alcohol.
Assembly Bill 246, which already passed in the state Assembly, states U.S. passports and military identification cards are acceptable forms of identification to present when purchasing alcohol.
Tom Kelly, spokesperson for state Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, said the bill also gives greater strength to an existing law protecting alcohol stores accused of selling to minors who showed identification.
Kelly said the bill was created after a constituent complained he was unable to purchase alcohol with an expired drivers license, even though he had a valid military ID.
Under the new bill, a person is allowed to purchase alcohol as long as the ID contains a valid photograph and birth date.
An environmental bill was scheduled for a vote Thursday but was delayed and sent back to committee.
Senate Bill 380 mandates 10 percent of all motor-vehicle fuel sold in the state be renewable fuel by 2010 and 25 percent to be renewable by 2025.
The bill faces opposition from oil companies and some legislators, including state Sen. Neal Kedzie, R-Elkhorn. Kedzie said in a statement that fuel sold in Wisconsin must succeed or fail based on its merit in the marketplace.""
He also said constituents have voiced their opposition.
""The flood of calls and e-mails I have received just today from my constituents echo one sentiment: Government should not be dictating which products must be offered in Wisconsin,"" Kedzie said.
Gov. Jim Doyle said in his State of the State address last week he supported the bill, and it previously passed the state
Assembly in 2005. The bill hasbipartisan opposition and support, with the lead Assembly author a Republican.
