SALT LAKE CITY —  Getting a drink in Utah will no longer require the equivalent of a permission slip.

Gov. Jon Huntsman signed the most sweeping changes to the state's liquor laws in 40 years into law on Monday, eliminating a much criticized system where customers must fill out an application and pay a fee before being allowed to enter a bar.

Bars will no longer have to be private clubs beginning July 1.

The move is being made in an effort to make the state seem a little less odd to outsiders and boost the state's $6 billion a year tourism industry.

The new law will also allow restaurants to take down partitions separating bartenders from customers in restaurants, which means bartenders will soon be able to serve drinks directly over bar counters.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.