UNIVERSITY LIQUOR LICENSES

Senate Bill 1219 (S-1) as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Tory Rocca

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 12-10-18

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 1219 would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to add several university buildings to the list of buildings considered “conference centers” and therefore eligible for an on-premises liquor license. The bill would also allow a liquor license to be issued to a golf course clubhouse owned or operated by a college or university.

Under state liquor laws, a college or university can obtain a liquor license to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a conference center operated by the governing board of the institution. The liquor license is not subject to the population quota provisions of the liquor code. Under this license, alcohol can only be sold at regularly scheduled conference center activities. The sale of alcohol to unscheduled patrons or at unscheduled events is prohibited.

Senate Bill 1219 would amend the Code to include the Pease Auditorium and McKenny Hall at Eastern Michigan University, the Heritage Hall Alumni Center at Western Michigan University, and the Fredericks Sculpture Museum and the Alumni Building at Saginaw Valley State University in the list of buildings considered conference centers under the Code and therefore eligible for an on-premises liquor license. The bill would revise how the centers and other buildings are listed for clarity and ease of identifying which college and university centers are eligible for a liquor license.

Further, the bill would allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to issue a license to a golf course clubhouse and any adjacent outdoor service area owned or operated by a college or university for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises.

MCL 436.1513

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 1219 would be unlikely to have a significant fiscal impact on any unit of state or local government. The bill would allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to issue additional licenses to facilities owned and operated by colleges and universities, but given the small number of licenses that would likely be issued, the bill is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analyst:   Marcus Coffin

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.