Senate Bill S5878

                                 BILL NUMBER:  S5878

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
temporary permits to sell beer and wine not to be consumed on premises

 PURPOSE :

To permit bars and restaurants to sell beer and wine for off premises
consumption in connection with community activities, festivals events
or promotions.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 - amends section 64 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to
add a new section 10, which provides that the State Liquor Authority
is authorized to issue temporary permits to sell beer and wine not to
be consumed on premises with certain limitations in coordination with
community activities, festivals, events or promotions.

Section 2 provides that this act shall be effective sixty days after
it shall have become law, but that any amendment or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary to implement this section on its effective
date are authorized to be made and completed before such date.

              

 EXISTING LAW :

Section 64 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

 JUSTIFICATION :

Communities across the state are organizing events, festivals, music
nights and other promotions to encourage residents and visitors to
learn about and enjoy the businesses and experiences that these
communities offer. In particular, many communities have developed
events where participants are encouraged to move from venue to venue,
perhaps enjoying various musical or other offerings, often in outdoor
settings. An important part of maximizing the enjoyment of such
activities is to encourage visitors to move from venue to venue to
enjoy all that the event has to offer. Presently, bars and restaurants
are not permitted to allow patrons to take their alcoholic beverages,
sold and purchased for in house consumption, out of the establishment
even when the community does not have an open container law. In such
circumstances a person could bring alcoholic beverages from home and
consume them in public areas, whereas if they purchase the beverage
from a bar or restaurant, and they are allowed to leave the
establishment with the beverage, the establishment can be charged with
a violation.

This bill allows patrons to bring their beverages out of the licensed
portion of the premises for limited times, on limited occasions in
connection with community activities. The bill does not limit the
ability of a local community to otherwise restrict or prohibit
possession or consumption of alcohol.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Sixty days after it shall have become law, except that any amendment
or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary to implement this
section on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed
before such date.