TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE

FOR WINTER CLASSIC HOCKEY GAME

House Bill 5611 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Rep. Mark Ouimet

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 5-23-12

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5611 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE 5-23-12

The bill is intended to allow alcohol sales during the "Winter Classic" hockey game on January 1, 2013, between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.  The National Hockey League (NHL) has agreed to rent the stadium for the event but alcohol currently cannot be served at any University of Michigan sporting events.  The bill would amend Section 531 of the Liquor Control Code (MCL 436.1531).

Specifically, the bill would allow for a temporary liquor license to be issued for an outdoor stadium typically used for intercollegiate athletics events.  It would apply for up to 30 consecutive days, and only to a concessionaire of an entity that has been granted the exclusive use of a public university's property in conjunction with a hockey game sanctioned by an unincorporated non-profit association that operates a major professional ice hockey league made up of teams from the U.S. and Canada.  To be eligible, the concessionaire must have entered into an agreement granting it control of the licensed premises. 

Under the bill, a nationally televised, outdoor game between two professional hockey teams would be considered an established outdoor program, and would allow a concessionaire that obtains a temporary license to share profits generated from that license with an unincorporated non-profit association that operates a major professional ice hockey league with teams in the U.S. and Canada, or an affiliated entity, under a written contract that has been reviewed by the Liquor Control Commission (LCC).

The LCC could allow the promotion and advertising of alcoholic liquor on the campus of a public university that is issued a temporary license for the duration of the license if the established outdoor program is a nationally televised hockey game between two professional teams.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5611 would not have a significant fiscal impact on the Liquor Control Commission. The concessionaire would have to purchase a license from the LCC and remit sales tax from the sales of beverages at the event to the state.

POSITIONS:

Michigan Liquor Control Commission supports the bill. (5-16-12)

Associated Food and Petroleum Dealers supports the bill. (5-16-12)

Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association supports the bill. (5-16-12)

The University of Michigan supports the bill. (5-16-12)

The Detroit Red Wings support the bill. (5-16-12)

The National Hockey League supports the bill. (5-16-12)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Jeff Stoutenburg

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Paul Holland

■ 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.