A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, relating to open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 22, 1993

Requires the Secretary of Transportation, beginning with FY 1997, to withhold five percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a State under specified Federal highway provisions if it is lawful in such State to: (1) possess an open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of any motor vehicle on a public highway; or (2) consume any alcoholic beverage in such motor vehicle on a public highway. Exempts from such withholding measures charter buses designed to transport more than ten passengers whose drivers are not permitted by State law to possess open alcoholic beverages in the passenger area. Provides for the release of withheld funds to States which comply with this Act.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · D–ND

Committees

Environment and Public Works Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Apr 22, 1993
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Apr 22, 1993
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4831-4832)
Apr 22, 1993
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Apr 22, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.809 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.809, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, relating to open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/809

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-04-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s809/BILLS-103s809is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.809 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.809 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.809, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, relating to open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/809

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-04-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s809/BILLS-103s809is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.809 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.809 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.809, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, relating to open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/809

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-04-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s809/BILLS-103s809is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.809 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.809 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.809, 103rd Congress: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, relating to open containers of alcoholic beverages and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the passenger area of motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/senate-bill/809

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1993-04-22.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/s809/BILLS-103s809is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:14:03Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.809 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.