Aug 02, 2007 - 04:03:43 CDT
FARGO (AP) - Terry Borchardt says his customers at The Winery have reason to celebrate, thanks to a new law that allows them to take home leftover wine. The measure and several other North Dakota laws went into effect on Wednesday."I think it's a great thing," said Borchardt, who owns the south Fargo wine bar. "It promotes more responsible consumption of wine."
Restaurant owners said the law was needed because customers were forced to make the choice of leaving behind expensive wine or drinking too much. Borchardt said the so-called "cork and carry" law is common in other states.
"Ordering a bottle rather than a glass has always been more cost-effective for the consumer," Borchardt said. "Now they can get the value and still have some more left over for tomorrow."
The bottle must be sealed and the restaurant must provide a receipt. It should be placed in the truck or in the passenger cabin out of reach of the driver.
Several other new laws became official on Wednesday:
3 The state's ban on cohabitation is off the books. Since statehood, it has been a sex crime in North Dakota for a man and woman to live together as if they were married.
3 Tattoo artists may not give a tattoo to anyone younger than 18 without the presence, and permission, of the teenager's parent or guardian. Ear piercing is exempt.
3 Only barbershops may display barber poles.
3 Health care professionals who express sympathy to a patient's family when something goes wrong may not have their apology used against them in a medical malpractice lawsuit or licensing hearing.
3 Motorcycle handlebars can no longer be higher than a rider's shoulders.
3 Cities can pass an ordinance that would make it legal for people to drive golf carts on city streets from their homes to the golf course, as long as they don't travel on a federal, state or county highway.
3 It's illegal to place a microchip into the body of someone without their consent.
3 Organizers of flea markets and craft fairs must submit a list of vendors to the Tax Department, so the state can verify that vendors are collecting and remitting sales taxes.
ColoradoKid wrote on Aug 6, 2007 11:32 AM:
Rebecca wrote on Aug 2, 2007 2:20 PM:
Concerned wrote on Aug 2, 2007 8:58 AM:
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.