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Bill > HB1484


VA HB1484

VA HB1484
Alcoholic beverage control; designated outdoor refreshment areas.


summary

Introduced
01/23/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; designated outdoor refreshment areas. Allows up to two permitted breweries or wineries to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption in an area designated for the designated outdoor refreshment area during an event held by the designated outdoor refreshment area licensee. The bill allows designated outdoor refreshment area licensees that are nonprofit organizations to sell tickets or charge for wristbands for an event to cover expenses of the event and also only requires such licensee to provide adequate security for an event as deemed appropriate by the local law-enforcement agency. The bill also provides that a designated outdoor refreshment area licensee that is a nonprofit organization shall be permitted to receive in-kind and financial sponsorships and donations from a manufacturer and may collect participation fees from breweries, wineries, and retail licensees for events held under a designated outdoor refreshment area license. Lastly, the bill allows (i) a designated outdoor refreshment area licensee that is a nonprofit organization to obtain a banquet special event license or a mixed beverage special event license and (ii) a brewery, winery, cidery, or distillery to obtain a manufacturer's beer or wine event license for an event to be held within the boundaries of the designated outdoor refreshment area, including an event hosted by the designated outdoor area licensee that is a nonprofit organization, as long as any such event held pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) is not held at the same time as an event utilizing the designated outdoor refreshment area license. The bill provides that any such event held pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) shall not count toward the 16 events per-year limit for designated outdoor refreshment area licenses.

AI Summary

This bill modifies regulations concerning designated outdoor refreshment areas (DORAs), which are designated public spaces where alcoholic beverages can be consumed. Specifically, it allows up to two permitted breweries or wineries to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption within a DORA during an event hosted by the DORA licensee. For DORA licensees that are nonprofit organizations, the bill permits them to charge for tickets or wristbands to cover event expenses and only requires them to provide security as deemed appropriate by local law enforcement. Additionally, nonprofit DORA licensees can now receive sponsorships and donations from alcohol manufacturers and collect participation fees from breweries, wineries, and retail licensees for events. The bill also enables nonprofit DORA licensees to obtain banquet or mixed beverage special event licenses, and allows breweries, wineries, cideries, or distilleries to obtain a manufacturer's event license for events within a DORA, provided these events do not overlap with the DORA's own events and do not count towards the DORA's annual event limit.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in Committee General Laws (on 02/18/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1484
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1484/text/HB1484HC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1484) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1102110.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1484/text/HB1484
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