Senate Bill S6558

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S6558

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
notification to community boards

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :

To establish a law that would require the SLA to notify the local
community board when any person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages
for consumption on premises applies for a special permit.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Amends section 99 of the alcoholic beverage control law by adding a
new subdivision to include notice of intent to apply for a permit to
the local community board.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Currently, any person or business licensed to sell alcoholic beverages
for consumption may apply to the SLA for a special permit to remain
open on any week-day between the hours of 4 a.m. or the closing hour,
and 8 a.m. This often takes place during New Years Eve and other
holidays. The State Liquor Authority only requires that the
              

application of the intent to apply for this permit be sent to the
police precinct. Community Boards are left out of the process.

To ensure that the local community has input in these decisions, and
to ensure that the SLA make fair and educated decisions on proposed
permits, application notices should be sent to both the local police
department and local community board, particularly when the applicant
is in close proximity to residential areas. Community Boards have a
better sense of local neighborhood issues and the institutional
history of local businesses. Boards should be part of this process
since they are included when local businesses are applying for the
original licensure. The notification would provide an opportunity for
the community to comment on local issues while also maintaining its
quality of life.

Despite the Governor's explanation for his veto of this legislation in
2015, this bill would not create a duplicative process. Current law
recognizes Community Boards need to be included in this process when
local business apply for a liquor license. It is just as imperative
that they be included in the special permit process as well.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

2015: S1130-A/A268 (Rozic) Passed Both Houses, Vetoed - Veto Message
No. 248/2015;
2014: S6898 Passed Senate / A2593 Referred to Economic Development;
2013: A2593 Referred to Economic Development.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS :

None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to all
applications under section 99 of the alcoholic beverage control law
made after such effective date.