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Bill > SB1163


VA SB1163

VA SB1163
Alcoholic beverage control; food-to-beverage ratio, sunset.


summary

Introduced
01/07/2025
In Committee
02/07/2025
Crossed Over
02/04/2025
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; food-to-beverage ratio. Reduces the current 45 percent food-to-beverage ratio for certain mixed beverage licensees. The bill requires a mixed beverage restaurant, caterer's, or limited caterer's licensee with monthly food sales of at least $4,000 to have a food-to-beverage ratio that meets or exceeds 30 percent. The bill also requires that restaurants have at least as many seats at tables as at counters and prohibits mixed beverage licensees from serving mixed beverages once food is no longer being sold for on-premises consumption. The bill sunsets on July 1, 2027, and requires the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to collect data regarding the compliance of mixed beverage licensees with the provisions of the bill and the impact of the change to the food-to-beverage ratio on the gross amount of food consumed on a licensee's premises. The bill requires the Authority to report such data to the Chairmen of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services by November 1, 2026.

AI Summary

This bill modifies the food-to-beverage ratio requirements for certain mixed beverage licensees in Virginia, specifically restaurants, caterers, and limited caterers. Currently, these businesses must ensure that at least 45% of their gross receipts come from food and non-alcoholic beverages. The bill changes this requirement to a tiered system: for licensees with monthly food sales of at least $4,000 but less than $20,000, the food-to-beverage ratio will be reduced to 35%, and for licensees with monthly food sales of at least $20,000, there will be no food-to-beverage ratio requirement at all. The bill directs the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to collect data on the impact of this change and report to legislative committees by November 1, 2026. The provisions of the bill will expire on July 1, 2027, and the Authority is initially exempt from standard regulatory procedures when implementing the new rules, though they must provide an opportunity for public comment. This change aims to provide more flexibility for food service establishments in how they balance food and alcohol sales.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in General Laws (on 02/18/2025)

bill text


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Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1163
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1163) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1041543.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1163/text/SB1163S1
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1163/text/SB1163SC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB1163) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023747.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1163/text/SB1163
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