What's happening
This bill allows liquor licenses for premises outside NYC within 200 feet of schools or houses of worship if deemed in the public interest.
Why it matters
Expands opportunities for new restaurants and bars outside New York City. by allowing exceptions to the strict “200-foot rule,” more businesses in suburban and rural areas could open near schools or places of worship if they demonstrate a benefit to the community.
Empowers local voices in licensing decisions. the law requires consultation with municipalities or community boards and public hearings before granting a license, providing communities with a formal role in approving nearby liquor licenses.
Promotes economic development and downtown revitalization. by making it easier for small towns and cities to attract hospitality businesses, this change could support local economies and increase commercial activity in areas previously restricted by proximity rules.
Ensures procedural fairness and renewal security. establishes that once a business receives a license under this exception, their renewal cannot be denied solely because of their proximity to a school or place of worship, creating more regulatory stability for business owners.
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Who cares
On-premises liquor license applicants outside cities of one million or more
The bill would allow licenses for premises on the same street or avenue and within 200 feet of buildings used exclusively as schools or places of worship if granting the license is in the public interest.
Schools, churches, synagogues and other places of worship
Nearby premises could receive liquor licenses despite the 200-foot restriction, and that proximity could not be grounds for denying renewal.
Municipalities and community boards
The bill would require consultation with them and notice of a hearing before the licensing authority could grant these exceptions.
State Liquor Authority
The bill would give the authority discretion to grant these exceptions after a hearing and require it to state and file its reasons.
Headline styles
Allow Bars Near Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to economic development
- Referred to economic development
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Liquor Licenses Near Schools
In Senate Committee · Commerce, Economic Development And Small Business · Sponsor Fredrick J. Akshar II
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8237
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 2, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to authorizing the issuance of a license to sell liquor at retail for consumption on the premises for premises in violation of the two hundred foot rule if granting such license would be in the public interest
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (f) of subdivision 7 of section 64 of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 185 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of [paragraph] paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision, the authority may issue a license pursuant to this section for a premises, located outside of a city with a population of one million or more, which shall be on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or for a premises which shall be within five hundred feet of three or more existing premises licensed and operating pursuant to this section and sections sixty-four-a, sixty-four-b, sixty-four-c, and/or sixty-four-d of this article if, after consultation with the municipality or community board, it determines that granting such license would be in the public interest. Before it may issue any such license, the authority shall conduct a hearing, upon notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board, and shall state and file in its office its reasons therefor. The hearing may be rescheduled, adjourned or continued, and the authority shall give notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board of any such rescheduled, adjourned or continued hearing. Before the authority issues any said license, the authority or one or more of the commissioners thereof may, in addition to the hearing required by
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11504-02-7
A. 8237 2
this paragraph, also conduct a public meeting regarding said license, upon notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board. The public meeting may be rescheduled, adjourned or continued, and the authority shall give notice to the applicant and the municipality or community board of any such rescheduled, adjourned or continued public meeting. Notice to the municipality or community board shall mean written notice mailed by the authority to such municipality or community board at least fifteen days in advance of any hearing scheduled pursuant to this paragraph. Upon the request of the authority, any municipality or community board may waive the fifteen day notice requirement. No premises having been granted a license pursuant to this section shall be denied a renewal of such license upon the grounds that such premises, located outside of a city with a population of one million or more, are on the same street or avenue and within two hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship or such premises are within five hundred feet of a building or buildings wherein three or more premises are licensed and operating pursuant to this section and sections sixty-four-a, sixty-four-b, sixty-four-c, and/or sixty-four-d of this article.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.