What's happening
This bill prohibits the state liquor authority from requiring cabaret licenses or imposing related conditions if local cabaret laws are repealed or don't specifically regulate music or dancing.
Why it matters
Reduces barriers for nightlife venues. By preventing the state liquor authority from denying or conditioning liquor licenses based on repealed or non-existent local cabaret laws, the bill makes it easier for bars, clubs, and event spaces to offer music and dancing without facing outdated restrictions.
Shifts regulatory power to local jurisdictions. The bill respects the decisions of cities and towns by ensuring state agencies cannot enforce cabaret-related requirements that local governments have chosen to eliminate or not enforce, supporting local autonomy in nightlife regulation.
Encourages cultural and economic activity. With fewer licensing hurdles related to music and dancing, venues may have more flexibility to host live performances and dancing, potentially boosting local economies and cultural vibrancy, especially in areas that have modernized their cabaret laws.
Clarifies and modernizes licensing. The legislation aims to eliminate confusion and streamline the liquor licensing process by ensuring that only current, specific local laws can be used as grounds for imposing conditions, helping business owners better understand and meet regulatory requirements.
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Who cares
Liquor license applicants and renewal applicants
The bill would bar license denials or issuance conditions based on a repealed local cabaret law or where local zoning does not specifically prohibit dancing or music or require a permit for it.
Bars and other liquor-licensed venues offering dancing or music
The bill would limit the State Liquor Authority’s ability to require a cabaret license as a condition of issuing a liquor license.
State Liquor Authority
The bill would restrict the grounds the agency could use to deny applications or renewals and impose license conditions involving cabaret laws, dancing or music.
Headline styles
Stop Using Repealed Cabaret Laws
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to economic development
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
11006
IN ASSEMBLY
September 9, 2020
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Perry) -read once and referred to the Committee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to prohibiting the state liquor authority from conditioning a liquor license based on a cabaret law that has been repealed by a local jurisdiction
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 114 of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a new subdivision 7 to read as follows:
7. The liquor authority shall not deny an application for a license or for renewal of a license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or impose a condition on the issuance of such license, including requiring the applicant to apply for a cabaret license, based upon a cabaret law that has been repealed by a local jurisdiction or where local zoning laws do not specifically prohibit dancing or music, or require issuance of a permit to allow such activity.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD16433-05-0
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.