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It appears Utah lawmakers are backing away from talk of a database for drinkers that would replace the state's private club laws.
The proposed statewide database would track those who go to bars and order drinks in restaurants. The system would work by scanning the bar code on driver licenses.
On Feb. 3, Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, told the Salt Lake Tribune, "At some point, the restaurant would feed (the information) into the central database."
Last night on KSL's Nightside Project, he said, "I think that's sort of the Orwellian approach. I'm opposed to that. I don't think we keep track of when people buy drinks."
Meanwhile, the senate bill's sponsor, Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, says he's going to defer the "database debate" to the House and a bill by Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper. Hughes' proposal doesn't include a central database.
E-mail: aadams@ksl.com
