Bill > S08477

This bill amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to modify restrictions on alcohol consumption licenses near schools, churches, and other places of worship. Currently, establishments are prohibited from obtaining certain alcohol licenses if they are located within 200 feet of a school, church, or place of worship. The bill introduces a new provision that allows licensing authorities to issue retail, special, bottle club, restaurant-brewer, and cabaret licenses for on-premises alcohol consumption in such proximity zones, but only for premises located outside of cities with populations of one million or more. The key condition is that the owner or administrator of the nearby school, church, or place of worship must affirmatively provide support for the license's issuance. In practical terms, this means that if a school or church leadership explicitly agrees, an establishment can obtain an alcohol license even if it is within 200 feet of their building, effectively giving these institutions veto power over nearby alcohol sales. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for local businesses while still maintaining a degree of community oversight through the requirement of institutional support.

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8477