CARRY-OUT LIQUOR SALES SUNSET; ELIMINATE                                 S.B. 141:

                                                                                         SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                         REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 141 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Mallory McMorrow

Committee:  Regulatory Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to eliminate a January 1, 2026, sunset on provisions that allow a qualified licensee to fill and sell qualified containers with alcoholic liquor for the purpose of off-the-premise consumption and to deliver alcoholic liquor to a consumer in the State if the qualified licensee meets certain conditions.

MCL 436.1537a                                                                                             

BRIEF RATIONALE

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Code was amended to provide alternative means for businesses to generate revenue, such as allowing qualified licensees to sell alcoholic liquor for the purposes of off-the-premises consumption. Initially, there were safety concerns with how this legislation could affect drunk driving rates or possession of alcohol by minors. Evidently, off-the-premises consumption has not resulted in these safety issues and it has been suggested that the sunset on these provisions be eliminated.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATION

(Please note: The information in this summary provides a cursory overview of previous legislation and its progress. It does not provide a comprehensive account of all previous legislative efforts on the relevant subject matter.)

The bill is similar to Senate Bill 559 of the 2021-2022 Legislative Session which, among other thing, extended the sunset on the provision above from December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Senate Bill 559 became Public Act 64 of 2021 and took effect on July 13, 2021.

                                                                     Legislative Analyst:  Eleni Lionas

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  3-20-23                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Jonah Houtz

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.