Ban on Open Booze Containers in Motor Vehicles Fails

Legislation requiring alcoholic beverages to be in their original, sealed containers while being transported by motor vehicle died in a Senate committee Monday.

The Washington Post reports that Sen. George Barker’s (D-39) bill, SB206, failed to pass the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice Committee with a 7-7 vote. Without a majority, the bill failed to advance to a floor vote.

Barker's bill proposed a $25 fine for any driver who was found with an opened container of alcohol in the “passenger area” of his or her vehicle. Containers not in the possession of a passenger were to be considered the driver's.

An identical bill proposed by Sen. Mamie Locke (D-2) of Hampton also failed in the same committee.