Idaho panel OKs event center liquor licenses in resort towns

BOISE (AP) - A central Idaho-based conference and events center is pushing approval to grant liquor licenses to conference centers in Idaho's resort cities.

The House State Affairs Committee endorsed the bill 9-7 on Thursday.

Republican Rep. Gayle Batt from Wilder voted against the plan, saying that if lawmakers continue to pass patchwork fixes, problems with the overall system will continue to be ignored.

Liquor licenses in Idaho are distributed based on population, which causes a limited number of licenses to be granted in small towns.

Proponents say only the Ketchum-based business would qualify under the proposed law.

The plan now goes to the full House for consideration.