Calif. Lawmakers Reject Bid For 4 A.M. Last Call

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have permitted bartenders to serve drinks until 4 a.m., two hours later than the current last call for alcohol.

Sen. Mark Leno, a Democrat from San Francisco, said the extended hours would draw tourists, create jobs and help California cities compete with New York, Las Vegas, Miami and other areas that serve alcohol all night long.

But SB635 failed to get enough votes in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on Tuesday.

Leno spokeswoman Ali Bay said Wednesday that the deadline has passed for the senator to try again, killing the bill for the year.

His bill would have let municipalities decide whether to extend last call to 4 a.m.

Law enforcement said that could mean more public drunkenness, violence and drunken driving.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.