Bill > S2282

Introduced Session

Currently, the law prohibits any person or corporate entity from holding more than two retail licenses to sell alcoholic beverages. This bill increases the number of plenary retail distribution licenses that a person may acquire when the license or licenses are used in connection with the operation of a retail food store, or in connection with the operation of a liquor store when the licensee certifies that at least 90 percent of the store's annual sales are alcoholic beverages. While the bill increases the number of retail licenses that one person may acquire, the total number of licenses held by one person is still restricted and gradually increases over time. Immediately following the effective date of the bill, a person may own or have an interest in a maximum of five retail licenses, including any retail license acquired prior to the bill's effective date. Five years following the effective date of the bill, a person may hold no more than a total of seven retail licenses. Finally, 10 years following the bill's effective date, a person may hold no more than a total of 10 retail licenses. Individuals who acquire more than two licenses under the provisions of the bill are required to pay a license transfer fee on each additional license that they acquire. The transfer fee is set at 10 percent of the amount the entity paid for the license and is payable to the municipality in which the licensed premises is situated. It is important to note that this bill does not increase the number of licenses that a municipality may issue.

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Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 03/12/2018)