Senate OKs alcohol licenses in Valpo, Dunes

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Senate voted 43-7 on Tuesday to permit alcohol sales at more restaurants in downtown Valparaiso and in the pavilion at Indiana Dunes State Park.

With no debate, the Republican-controlled chamber approved House Bill 1054, which expands by 200 feet the area in downtown Valparaiso where restaurants can claim already existing liquor licenses.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, sponsor of the legislation, said a 2005 measuring error left some restaurants that were supposed to qualify for the 10 licenses created that year outside the historic district.

No new Valparaiso licenses are created by the proposal, Charbonneau said.

The legislation also allows a private contractor operating a restaurant or banquet hall in the Indiana Dunes State Park pavilion to sell and serve alcohol.

Current Indiana law only permits facilities operated by the Department of Natural Resources to sell alcohol. Private contractors operating in state parks cannot.

State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, said prohibition has made it difficult to attract a private operator to run a restaurant or banquet hall in the park pavilion.

The Republican-controlled House still must consent to Senate changes to the legislation before it can go to the governor.