A student group that urges youngsters to avoid drugs and alcohol should be praised for its work, but doesn't deserve to get money from a higher beer tax, North Dakota senators concluded.

The decision disappointed Sen. Elroy Lindaas, D-Mayville, who wanted to set aside about $700,000 over two years to fund a new "responsible choices commission."

The Senate agreed Thursday to authorize the formation of the five-member commission, but declined Lindaas' request to raise North Dakota's tax on beer to give the commission its own source of money.

Lindaas wanted a group called SADD, which is active in high schools and colleges and encourages young people to stay away from drink, drugs and tobacco, to benefit from the program.

Lindaas said the group's message has affected him personally, because he has lost two relatives to fatal crashes involving drunken drivers.

"They're asking for financial support to continue their worthy cause," he said. "They've been holding their bake sales and fund-raisers, but it's not enough."

North Dakota's tax on canned or bottled beer sold by wholesalers is now 16 cents a gallon, which equals 1.5 cents for a 12-ounce can. Beer in kegs is taxed at 8 cents a gallon.

Lindaas' proposal would have raised each by 2 cents a gallon. An earlier version of the bill asked lawmakers for a steeper increase, moving both taxes to 25 cents a gallon.

Other senators said they were impressed by SADD's efforts, but not enough to alter the tax code for the group's benefit.

"There are many organizations out there that are concerned about doing a lot," said Sen. Herb Urlacher, R-Taylor. "Who are we going to tax to address their problems?"

The Senate eventually voted 45-0 to establish the commission, tying its finances to another proposed group that would handle faith- and community-based initiatives.

The bill is SB2373.