PROHIBIT RETAIL SALES OF ALCOHOL NEAR SCHOOLS

House Bill 6042

Committee: Education

Complete to 11-14-00

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6042 AS INTRODUCED 9-28-00

House Bill 6042 would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Act to prohibit the retail sale of alcoholic beverages within 1,000 feet of a school.

Currently a new application for a license to sell alcoholic beverages at retail, or a request to transfer location of an existing license, is denied if the contemplated location is within 500 feet of a church or a school building. However, the provision does not apply to specially designated merchants without on-premises licenses (i.e., those who sell only take-out beer and wine), and there are certain other exceptions in the provision. Further, the Liquor Control Commission may waive this section in the case of other classes of licenses. In these instances, if an objection is not filed by the church or school, the commission may issue the license pursuant to the act. If an objection is filed, the commission must hold a hearing under the rules it has established, before making a decision on the issuance of the license.

House Bill 6042 would require that a new license or a transferred license be denied if the contemplated location is within 1,000 feet of a school building, instead of 500 feet. Further, the bill would delete the provision that allows the Liquor Control Commission to waive the prohibition in the case of other classes of licenses.

MCL 436.1503

Analyst: J. Hunault

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