• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 3, 2009 - Page: 10A

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Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law Thursday legislation aimed at ending debate over when a restaurant becomes a bar operating in violation of state law.

The legislation was one of 72 bills that became law with the governor’s signature Thursday.

Jindal also vetoed his first bill from the just-ended regular session — a measure that would have reduced the amount of personal financial information some elected officials would have to report.

The Louisiana Family Forum and some New Orleans neighborhood organizations had encouraged Jindal to veto the restaurant legislation, Senate Bill 136.

State Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, sponsored the legislation for the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

The new law is designed to help restaurants that offer drink specials and late-night live entertainment operate without running afoul of state licensing.

Chelsea’s Café in Baton Rouge has been challenged by licensing enforcement officials over its activities including cover charges for nighttime music events.

Jindal also signed into law:

• Senate Bill 333 creating the Bluebonnet Convention Hotel Tax Incremental Financing district to help developer Mike Wampold put together the money needed for the project located on old Jimmy Swaggart Ministries property.
• Senate Bill 302, which provides for the conversion of the Jetson Center for Youth, in East Baton Rouge Parish. The facility, which had been slated for closure, will remain open with a different focus.

The action brings to 299 the number of bills Jindal has signed from the 2009 legislative session.

The restaurant legislation was prompted by a January letter from state Alcohol & Tobacco Control commissioner Murphy Painter that indicated such operations would be suspect of becoming bars subject to other licensing requirements.

On Friday, Family Forum executive director Gene Mills said restaurants have legitimate concerns but the legislation lacks safeguards to protect children from bar operations and to preserve local zoning and other control.

“It sets a dangerous precedent,” Mills said.