A proposed new law affecting alcohol purchases is ruffling a few feathers on campus and in the city.

Alcohol License Review Committee Chair Tim Bruer, District 14, proposed the law regulating the delivery of kegs, cases of beer, and other wines and liquor. Bruer created the law to address the widespread concern of university administrators and some city council members that underage drinking is running dangerously rampant on the UW-Madison campus.

If the ALRC and Madison City Council pass the proposal, individuals purchasing alcohol for delivery will be required to pay in-person, provide two forms of identification and sign for the alcohol at the residence where the alcohol will be delivered.

Alderman Mike Verveer, District 4, said he does not support the law.

“It is totally unnecessary,” Verveer said. “Luckily, if it passes, it won’t have an adverse impact on students’ current social lives or on liquor stores.”

The liquor stores that currently offer alcohol delivery already follow their own strict guidelines regarding keg purchases, Verveer said.

Verveer also said the regulation will have no effect on sales.

“In this case, the industry is way ahead of city hall,” Verveer said. “The stores already card people and get information, as well as a deposit before delivery.”

Verveer said he disagrees with the contention that the law will enable the police to find hosts of house parties and prosecute them more easily.

“From talking to downtown cops and prosecutors, they never have trouble finding people to bust for having parties,” Verveer said. “The idea that they will be able to cut down on parties and bring more responsible people to justice is a fallacy.”

UW-Madison students are also questioning the necessity of the law.

“We had a party a few weeks ago, and we had to jump through all sorts of hoops to get a keg delivered,” UW Senior Ben Durham said. “We even had to leave a deposit which ended up being more money than the beer itself.”

Durham said the proposed law was misdirected.

“Sure, drinking is common on campus, but don’t our lawmakers have anything better to do in a city this size than to propose frivolous regulations aimed at preventing 19 and 20-year-olds from having a beer every once in a while?” he said. “It’s not like they’re doing crack.”

Verveer agreed.

“Bruer doesn’t have any idea what the current situation is in Madison,” Verveer said. “You can’t call a liquor store anonymously and say ‘I want four kegs of Old Milwaukee,’ and it’ll show up at your door. They always ask for your name, driver’s license and a deposit.”

Verveer said students and others might unnecessarily perceive the proposal as having a large impact on their lives.

“On the surface, if I were a student I’d be upset,” he said. “But once you read every line like I have, you realize that the liquor stores are already doing what they need to do. Its bark is far worse than its bite.”

In the end, the law will not stop underage drinking and house parties, Verveer said.

“The bottom line is that it is a solution in search of a problem,” he said.

Verveer said he believes the proposal will become law.

“Seriously, shouldn’t they be passing an anti-anthrax bill or something?” Durham said.