LANSING, MI -- The beer tax will increase by 244 percent or nearly 5 cents per 12-ounce can under a proposal from Rep. Tom Hooker, R-Byron Center.

The beer tax hasn't been raised since 1966. It's currently $6.30 per barrel, or about 1.9 cents per 12-ounce can. House Bill 5873 would raise the tax to $21.70 per barrel, or 6.5 cents per can. The additional revenue would be directed to state recovery programs, drug treatment courts and police departments for additional enforcement of underage drinking laws.

Hooker said that alcohol has its own set of societal costs, and this bill would help address that.

"If you think of all the traffic accidents that are alcohol-related and the deaths that occur as a result of that, I think it's obvious that something needs to be done," said Hooker.

The bill is supported by Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety, a group that advocates for laws that reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

"The main reason we are doing this is because we want to save lives and reduce alcohol and other drug related harm," said Mike Tobias of Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety.

But the bill has already met opposition. Michigan Freedom Fund Executive Director Tony Daunt pointed out that this bill would be a significant increase over the current beer tax.

"What's Tom Hooker drinking? Hooker's bill is bad for the state's craft brewing industry, bad for Michigan residents, and devastating for his home district - Beer City, USA. The last thing Michigan needs is another lawmaker drunk on tax hikes and government spending," Daunt said. "Let's hope Lansing puts this terrible bill on ice."

Hooker has ardently opposed tax increases during his three terms in the legislature.

"It's an unusual thing for me to be in this position," Hooker said.

But the other thing he's consistently opposed are bills expanding access to alcohol. He does not drink himself, and has seen the harm excessive drinking can do to a family. It's a sin tax, he noted, and would not result in any tax increase for those who do not drink. And, he said, it's only about a five cent per bottle increase.

"It's a very small amount per 12-ounce can or bottle," Hooker said.

The bill was introduced on Tuesday and referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform.