CONFERENCE CENTER LIQUOR LICENSE H.B. 5623 (H-1):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5623 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative John N. Damoose
House Committee: Regulatory Reform
Senate Committee: Regulatory Reform
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to add names of certain buildings that are considered "conference centers" for the purposes of the Code, and to allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to issue to the governing board of Lake Superior State University (LSSU) a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on licensed premises that was located on land owned and operated by LSSU if certain requirements were met.
Conference Center Liquor License
The Code allows the MLCC to issue to the governing board of a college or university a license to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a conference center operated by the governing board. These licenses may be used only for the sale of alcoholic liquor at regularly scheduled conference center activities.
"Conference center" means a building or portion of a building, other than a student residence hall or student center, which has meeting rooms, banquet areas, social halls, overnight accommodations, and related facilities for special activities scheduled by a college or university, which in the Commission's judgment, has been regularly used for conferences and lodging of guests.
The Code specifies that certain buildings are considered conference centers for the Code's purposes, including the Walker Cisler Center at LSSU.
Additionally, the James Norris Events Center and the Richard and Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research and Education at LSSU would be considered conference centers for the Code's purposes.
Sale of Liquor by LSSU Governing Board
Under the bill, subject to Section 531, the MLCC could issue to the governing board of LSSU a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on licensed premises that was located on land owned and operated by LSSU if both of the following applied:
-- The license originally was acquired on the open market at fair market value.
-- The land was located within an area designated for community development or conference activities by the governing board of LSSU.
(Section 531 prescribes limitations on the number of certain liquor licenses that the MLCC may issue.)
MCL 436.1513 Legislative Analyst: Eleni Lionas
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a negligible fiscal impact on the Department as the bill would allow the issuance of only one license.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.
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.