Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the creation of social districts for alcohol consumption.

Highlights:

• Authorizes local government to designate social districts that contain commons areas that are maintained and managed in a manner that protects the health and safety of the community (Sec. 551).

• Specifies that local government may revoke the designation of a commons area if it determines it threatens the health, safety, or welfare of the public, or has become a nuisance (Sec. 551).

• Defines a “commons area” as an area within a social district that is clearly designated, marked by signs, and shared by and contiguous to the premises of at least 2 other licensees (Sec. 551).

• Authorizes qualified licensees whose licensed premises are shared by and contiguous to a commons area in a designated social district to obtain an annual social district permit by submitting an application that has been approved by local government and a $250.00 fee to be deposited into the liquor control enforcement and license investigation revolving fund (Sec. 551).

• Defines “qualified licensee” as any of the following (Sec. 551):

• A retailer that holds a license to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the licensed premises;

• A manufacturer with an on-premises tasting room permit;

• A manufacturer that holds an off-premises tasting room license; or

• A manufacturer that holds a joint off-premises tasting room license. 

• Authorizes the holder of a social district permit to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption in a commons area provided that they only sell and serve alcoholic liquor on the holder’s licensed premises, and serve the alcoholic liquor in containers that meet criteria including but not limited to (Sec. 551):

• The containers prominently display a logo that is unique to the social district permittee;

• The containers prominently display a logo that is unique to the commons area;

• The containers are not glass; and

• The containers have a liquid capacity that does not exceed 16 ounces.

• Authorizes purchasers to remove a container of alcoholic liquor from the social district permittee’s licensed premise provided that the purchaser does not remove the container from the commons area or enter the licensed premises of another social district permittee (Sec. 551).

• Specifies that the consumption of alcoholic liquor in the commons area may only occur during legal hours for the sale of alcoholic liquor by the social district permittee (Sec. 551).

• Specifies the provisions of this section expire on December 31, 2024 (Sec. 551).

Full Bill Text