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SALT LAKE CITY — A Senate committee gave early approval Thursday to a bill to bring Utah law into compliance after a federal judge ruled in favor of a local theater in a lawsuit over Utah liquor laws and the movie "Deadpool."
SB263 would remove a portion of Utah law that prohibits alcohol from being served during R-rated movies where people are shown having sex while nude.
It's a law U.S. District Judge David Nuffer struck down last year after ruling the it was unconstitutional because it violated freedom of speech.
When presenting the bill to lawmakers Thursday, the bill's sponsor, Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, said the "change is necessary" because the state lost its lawsuit with Brewvies Cinema Pub, which sued after the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control threatened to fine the theater and temporarily suspend its liquor license for serving alcohol during a showing of "Deadpool."
After no debate, the Senate Business and Labor Committee unanimously endorsed SB263. It now goes to the Senate floor.
"That may be the easiest alcohol bill in history," Stevenson quipped after the vote.
