What's happening
This bill allows liquor licenses for premises near schools or places of worship outside New York City if deemed in the public interest.
Why it matters
Expands licensing flexibility for businesses outside NYC. The bill offers greater leeway for restaurants, bars, and similar establishments outside New York City to obtain liquor licenses, even if they are within 200 feet of schools or places of worship, provided the State Liquor Authority deems it in the public interest.
Public input and local oversight are required. Before issuing such a license, the State Liquor Authority must consult with the local municipality or community board and hold a public hearing, ensuring community voices are considered in the decision.
Protects existing businesses from sudden license loss. Businesses that already have licenses under these exceptions cannot be denied renewal solely due to their proximity to schools or places of worship, offering stability and predictability for current license holders.
Could encourage economic development and local revitalization. By loosening restrictions that previously limited where new hospitality businesses could open, especially in small towns or cities, the bill could promote economic activity and support main street revitalization efforts.
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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 a school or house of worship if the State Liquor Authority finds approval in the public interest.
Schools and houses of worship
The bill would permit nearby liquor-serving premises that the 200-foot rule would otherwise bar, and would prevent license renewal denials based on that proximity outside cities of one million or more.
State Liquor Authority
The authority could grant these exceptions after local consultation and a hearing, with its reasons stated and filed.
Municipalities and community boards
They would be consulted on these applications and receive advance written notice of required hearings.
Headline styles
Allow Liquor Licenses Near Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
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 Bars Near Schools
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Donna Lupardo
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6241
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11504-02-7
S. 6241 2
the commissioners thereof may, in addition to the hearing required by 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
This bill expands the two hundred foot rule to authorize the issuance of a license to sell liquor at a retail for consumption.
Summary of provisions
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: 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 and five hundred feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
Section 2. States the effective date.
Justification
Currently, businesses are prohibited from selling liquor at retail for consumption if within 200 feet of a school or any location deemed a place of worship. Unfortunately, due to the current language in the alcohol beverage control law, year after year the state legislature has to pass legislation to allow businesses to sell liquor at retail value on a case-by-case basis. This bill would streamline this extensive process and give municipalities more discretion when making decisions about business location, while improving the business climate in the state of New York.
Legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.