Maine Lawmaker Wants to Extend Last Call Until 2 AM
Rep. Scott Strom has submitted a bill to extend last calls in Maine from 1 to 2 am, according to an article in the Bangor Daily News.
The paper reports that Strom thinks the current 1 am last call is "out of place," and he thinks a later cut off would help improve the states tourism industry.
BDN points to a study by the American Journal of Medicine that found changes of less than two hours didn't change drinking habits as changes of more than two hours. Meaning even if the bill passes, bar owners probably wouldn't notice much of an increase of income.
Those who oppose the bill say an extra hour could lead to more DUIs, and possibly more domestic violence however Strom believes otherwise, the article reports.
According to the BDN, a 2 am last call would put Maine with four other New England states that allow 2 am last calls. Right now Maine and New Hampshire are the only states in the region that set it at 1.
Since 2007, there have been 5 bill to attempt to extend bar hours but not one has ever been passed, the paper reports.