By Connie Mabin
Associated Press Writer
Friday, June 1, 2001; 4:16 a.m. EDT

AUSTIN, Texas –– President Bush himself signed the zero-tolerance underage drinking law that has his 19-year-old twin daughters in trouble in Texas.

Austin police on Thursday cited Jenna and Barbara Bush for violating state alcoholic beverage laws. It would be Jenna's second offense, following a no contest plea two weeks earlier, and Barbara's first.

Their father, then governor, signed the law in 1997 after the federal government threatened to withhold highway funding from states unless they adopted "zero-tolerance" underage drunken driving laws.

The 1997 law strengthened the state's alcohol code by creating a separate offense with stiff penalties for people under 21 caught with alcohol or trying to get it.

A first offense can mean a 30-day driver's license suspension, a $500 fine, alcohol awareness classes and community service. Jenna Bush was ordered to attend the classes and perform community service after pleading no contest two weeks ago to charges of underage drinking at a nightclub.

A second conviction can lead to a 90-day driver's license suspension, and a third conviction can result in six months in jail.

The law has resulted in a crackdown on underage drinking across the state, particularly near universities, said Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Sgt. Randy Motz.

Jenna Bush attends the University of Texas in Austin. Her sister was visiting from New Haven, Conn., where she attends Yale University.

Police didn't issue a citation when they talked to the twins Tuesday night after being called to a restaurant about reports of minors trying to buy alcohol.

Officials said they were told Jenna Bush had tried to order a margarita using someone else's identification. She wasn't served. But witnesses said Barbara Bush and a 19-year-old friend, Jesse Day-Wickham, were served margaritas.

Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman said he did not know what Barbara Bush and Day-Wickham had used for identification. The ID Jenna Bush allegedly used was confiscated and charges could follow, he said.

Barbara Bush and Day-Wickman were cited Thursday for being minors in possession of alcohol, and Jenna was cited for attempting to buy alcohol with a false identification. The twins signed the citations at their lawyers' office Thursday.

"We treat it just like it was a 19-year-old with the last name of Smith," Chapman said. "We did what we do with everyone else."

Police wouldn't say where Secret Service agents were at the time. The Secret Service wouldn't comment.

"Both daughters are private citizens and this is a private family matter," said Noelia Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush.

The twins are scheduled to see their parents and grandparents this weekend at Camp David.