What's happening
This bill allows alcoholic beverages to be kept in kegs, seltzer bottles, or other containers, with regulations set by the state liquor authority.
Why it matters
Increases flexibility for bars and restaurants. by allowing a wider variety of containers—such as kegs and seltzer bottles—for storing and serving alcoholic beverages, potentially enabling new drink formats and service methods.
Shifts regulatory control. to the state liquor authority, which will now set detailed rules about container size and type; this could create new compliance requirements or opportunities for businesses depending on how the rules are written.
Removes the previous requirement. that dispensing machines must be at least one gallon and continually mix drinks, allowing for smaller or static containers and possibly encouraging innovation with premixed or specialty drinks.
Could impact consumer safety and experience. as the new rules may affect how drinks are stored, served, and monitored for quality or tampering, making the state liquor authority’s forthcoming regulations especially important.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Drinks On Tap
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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.
Let Bars Tap Cocktails
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Patrick Burke
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1538
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sens. KENNEDY, BOYLE, COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to keeping drinks containing alcoholic beverages in kegs
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 106 of the alcoholic beverage control law, as added by chapter 512 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, a retail licensee for on-premises consumption may prepare and keep drinks containing alcoholic beverages in dispensing machines, [having capacities of not less than a gallon, which continually mix such drinks] kegs, seltzer bottles, or other containers. The state liquor authority shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the size and type of containers for use under this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02000-01-9
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 keep- ing drinks containing alcoholic beverages in kegs
Purpose
This bill allows retail licensees for on-premises consumption to prepare and keep prepared alcoholic beverages in kegs or other containers.
Summary of provisions
Section 1: amends paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 106 of the alcoholic beverage control law, as added by chapter 512 of the laws of 2000, by allowing retail licensees of on-premise consumption to prepare and keep alcoholic beverages in kegs and in containers with a capacity of more than a gallon, and grants the SLA authority to promulgate rules as needed.
Section 2: sets the effective date.
Justification
Current law limits the consumption of alcohol in an on-premise facility to drinks served in their original bottles, or in an individually prepared drink. However, in 1989, an exemption was granted to allow bars to serve drinks from continuously mixing machines, such as those for wine slushies or frozen margaritas. This legislation would expand that exemption to allow bars to serve premixed cocktails or "cocktails on tap" from kegs or similar containers. The State Liquor Authority will continue to have the ability to promulgate rules concerning the size and type of containers used, and current prohibitions on adulterations and/or tampering with liquor in its original bottle will be preserved.
By enacting this legislation, bars, restaurants and other on-premise facilities could prepare alcoholic beverages in advance, saving the time needed to mix or prepare each individual drink. Prepared cocktails could then be served on the same day, or be allowed to settle over time to provide for aged drinks. Providing faster service and the novelty of having premade, often complex and unique cocktails, would attract addi- tional clientele as well as reduce the cost of doing business.
Legislative history
2015-16: S.6292 2017-18: S.667
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.