House OKs allowing wine, mixed drink sales from golf carts

Indiana residents would be able to sell wine and mixed drinks like margaritas from golf carts on the state's golf courses under a bill that's cleared the Indiana House.

The chamber approved the legislation Thursday on a 92-4 vote, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration.

Existing Indiana law technically allows only sales of malt beverages, or beer, from golf carts, The Journal Gazette of Fort Wayne reported.

Rep. Ben Smaltz, R-Auburn, said he offered the bill after seeing elderly women selling Bloody Marys on a golf course and not having the heart to tell them what they were doing was illegal. He said it's time to adjust the law.

Smaltz says the legislation generally allows a golf course with a three-way alcohol permit to exercise selling anywhere on its property.