Senate Bill S1654

                                BILL NUMBER:S1654

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in
relation to automobile racing facilities

PURPOSE: This bill would allow automobile racing facilities to sell
alcoholic beverages between 8:00 AM and noon on Sunday.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Amends Section 3 of the alcohol beverage
control law to add the definition of an "automobile racing facility".
Amends subdivision 2 to exclude automobile racing facilities from the
governing hours of sale for restaurants, taverns and other on-premises
establishments and adds a new subdivision 5-a to Section 106 of the
alcoholic beverage control law which provides for the hours during
which alcoholic beverages may be sold at automobile racing facilities.

EXISTING LAW: The hour of sale of alcoholic beverages at automobile
racing facilities are currently governed by the hours of sale for
retailers licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption
on-premises. Current law prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages at
any on-premises location, including automobile racing facilities, on
Sunday between 4:00 AM and noon and on all other days between 4:00 AM
and 8:00 AM.

JUSTIFICATION: Since the repeal of Prohibition, on-premises alcoholic
beverage licenses have been prohibited from selling alcohol on Sunday
              

before noon. A similar restriction on off-premises grocery, beer and
wine products licensees was relaxed in 2006 to allow for the sale of
alcoholic beverages by these licensees as early as 8:00 AM on Sundays
in recognition of the changing times and habits of the populace.

Automobile racing facilities and the members of the public attending
such events have changed over time as well. Watkins Glen
International, the only automobile racing facility that will qualify
for expanded hours of sale under this bill, serves as a vehicle for
tourism and economic development in the Southern Tier of New York.
During most of the races the average fan stays in the region for 3.5
days helping boost the local economy. Most of their events take place
over weekends. Attendees at the events often camp on site bringing
with them food and beverage purchased off the premises. Existing law
allows them to purchase alcohol at off-premises locations between 8:00
AM and noon on Sundays, but then they cannot legally consume those
beverages on site due to current restrictions. This bill will
eliminate that problem making it easier for the automobile racing fans
to enjoy their experience while being compliant with the law. While
this bill expands the ability of automobile racing facilities to serve
on Sundays, it still prevents alcoholic beverage sales between 3:00 AM
and 8:00 AM.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 2014- S.3470

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately