Relates to licensing to sell wine and beer at retail for consumption on the premises in a motion picture theatre

4 Co-sponsors

• Phil Boyle
• David Carlucci
• Patrick M. Gallivan
• Daniel L. Squadron

BILL NUMBER:S3371A

Title of bill

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to wine and beer in motion picture theatres

Purpose

Allows motion picture theatres to apply for a license to sell wine and beer at retail for consumption on premise.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends Section 3 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control law by adding subdivision 20-f to define a motion picture theatre.

Section 2 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control law by adding section 64-e to allow applications for a license to sell wine and beer at retail for consumption on the premises in a motion picture theatre. It states a license under this section will be issued to all applicants except for good cause shown and circumstances of application denial Section 3 states the requirement of information within the application, without an additional fee. Section 4 states Section 54 of this chapter shall control so far as applicable the procedure in connection with such application. Section 5 gives the conditions of the application and penalties of failing to comply. Section 6 states that places defined as restaurants with table seating or seat-side tables where meals are served will not be prohibited the issuance of a license. Section 7 states on premise consumption location guidelines and requirements

Sections 3-22 Amends sections of the Alcoholic Beverage Control law by adding 64-e to appropriate license restriction and enforcement sections.

Section 24 establishes the effective date.

Justification

In recent years, the entertainment industry has changed dramatically Consumers now have a larger selection of options to view motion pictures other than going directly to the theatre. Netflix, Amazon Prime, pay-per-view, and on demand services provide high definition entertainment without having to leave your home, which has caused a burden on the motion picture theatre industry. Allowing motion picture theaters to sell alcoholic beverages at retail for on premise consumption would give them with the ability to provide adults the experience that other industries offer. By giving movie theatres the opportunity to sell alcohol they would be able attract consumers like comparable adult entertainment venues including Casinos, concerts, and sporting events. States like California, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee currently allow alcohol to be served in movie theaters.

Legislative history

2013-14: S. 7780 Investigations and Government Operations/ A. 10125 Economic Development

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, provided, however, that the amendments to subdivision 3 of section 17 of the alcoholic beverage control law made by section three of this act shall not affect the expiration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith.