SACRAMENTO The California Bus Association has successfully held off --until at least next year -- action on state legislation that would make motorcoach drivers criminally responsible for underage drinking on their buses.

Democrat Assemblyman Jerry Hill agreed to pull the measure and discuss possible changes to it with the motorcoach industry before bringing it back in the 2012 legislative session that begins in January.

"Remember the fight is not over, we just won the battle," the CBA said in a message sent to its members.

Under the proposed legislation AB 45 party bus drivers would be required to terminate the ride and return the passengers to their pickup location if an underage passenger drinks alcohol. Drivers who violate the law could be fined a minimum of $2,000.

The measure, which easily breezed through two legislative committees, was introduced this year in response to an incident in which a 19-year-old man was killed in a car crash in the San Francisco Bay area while driving home after spending a night out on a party bus.

The CBA maintains that the responsibility for any underage drinking aboard a party bus should rest with the group or individual sponsoring the charter and bringing the alcohol on the bus, according to the association lobbyist, Josh Pane.

He said CBA has proposed amending the legislation so it would require the chartering party to read to passengers a message that emphasizes that drinking by minors is not allowed on the bus, and that anyone under the drinking age must sign a statement promising not to drink alcohol while onboard.

Pane said CBA representatives plan to meet with Hill soon to discuss the suggested changes to his proposed legislation.

The battle in Michigan

The push for party bus legislation in California comes at the same time a city ordinance is being advanced in Michigan that would make drivers and owners of party limos and buses in Royal Oak (north of Detroit) responsible for not only underage drinking, but also the conduct of their passengers.

The city commission gave preliminary approval in October to a measure that could result in their being fined up to $500 for allowing minors to possess or drink alcohol and any individual to possess drug paraphernalia, discharge a weapon, hurl projectiles, commit indecent exposure, litter or possess or use marijuana.

The 4-3 vote in favor of the measure was the first of two votes needed before it can be enacted. The second vote is planned for later this month, although it could be delayed because of opposition from the mayor, motorcoach operators and several business organizations.

"Were tying to hold a minimum-wage driver responsible when we need to hold the people misbehaving responsible," Mayor Jim Ellison told the areas daily newspaper. "I think this is a bad ordinance and we can do a better job."

He warned that bus drivers will avoid bringing their passengers to bars, restaurants and other businesses in the city if the ordinance were to pass.

A limo operator in neighboring Troy agreed. "How can I convince an employee to take anyone to Royal Oak when they can be ticketed $500 for being a chauffeur?" said Rick Price, general manager of All-Star Transportation.

The proposal was developed after someone on board a party bus tossed a can of beer from the window of the bus and onto the hood of a police car.

Police stopped the bus and arrested four persons, including the man accused of throwing the can and three others who police said interfered with officers.