"The Doggie Bag Bill for Wine" is headed to Governor Culver for his consideration. The Iowa House gave final legislative approval to a bill that outlines how restaurants can bag and seal an opened but not empty bottle of wine for customers so they can cart it home — without fear they’ll be pulled over and accused of driving around with an open container of alcohol in their car.
Representative Doug Struyk, a Republican from Council Bluffs, told his colleagues the bill promotes the idea of drinking in moderation.
"This is a good bill. It seems to promote the policy of go out and enjoy the wine of your choice, not to be limited to just the wine by the glass and be able to take it home instead of forcing yourself to over consume — or allowing yourself to commit alcohol abuse by leaving it behind," Struyk said during House debate.
His comment drew a few chuckles. Representative Vicki Lensing, a Democrat from Iowa City, is the lawmaker who dubbed it the "doggie bag for wine" bill. "Often people might finish a bottle of wine, even though they feel they’re reached their capacity," Lensing said, "so encouraging people not to over-consume is behind this."
The bill cleared the House on a vote of 93-2. It cleared the Senate on March 19. It now goes to Governor Culver for his approval or veto.