Current law prohibits the sale of package beer and wine within 100 yards of a college campus. This bill allows cities and counties, via local ordinance, to allow for the sale of package beer and wine within that 100-yard distance so long as the store has at least 85 percent of its floor space dedicated to the sale of food and other nonalcoholic items, and conducts all of its sales within the store (i.e., no gas pumps outside).     

This legislation allows up to 128 ounces of malt beverages produced in a private residence (i.e., "home brew") to be transported from the private residence where it was prepared by the person who made it to another location that is not licensed.  The home brew must be transported for the purpose of consumption by the the person who made it or his or her family or guest.  The home brew must be sealed in one or more containers and clearly labeled with the name of the person who made it, as well as the address of the residence where it was made.  It the home brew is transported by motor vehicle, it must be placed in a locked glove compartment, trunk or area behind the last upright seat if the vehicle does not have a trunk.

HB 737 also clarifies that the board of commissioners must adopt a resolution or ordinance for the issuance of home brew special event permits, if they desire to allow them.  It also specifies that home brew special events may not be held at any establishment that has an alcoholic beverage license.

This legislation allows counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premise consumption is already approved to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for on premise consumption on Sundays that fall during March 16 through March 18.

This legislation would allow craft distillers to make retail sales of alcohol up to 1.75 liters per day to any single customer.

This legislation allows the Revenue Commissioner to license farm wineries to make distilled spirits and fortified wines, as well as to have a tasting room located on the property of the farm or the property adjacent to the farm.  

ACCG opposed this legislation as it was introduced because it mandated that counties pay a licensed auctioneer to conduct any sale of county property through a bid or auction process, including eBay, govdeals.com or any other online service. This bill was subsequently amended to no longer impact counties.

This legislation creates the House Study Committee on Local Government Qualification Based Selection (QBS) for Professional Services.  We will watch this closely as there will likely be attempts once again to mandate that local governments use only QBS in securing professional services.    

This legislation removes the requirement that the board of commissioners be notified by the State Construction Industry Licensing Board of the provisions of the law relating to licenses required for electrical, plumbing and conditioned air. It allows those with a universal Electrical Contractor license to peform low-voltage electric work without having to obtain a low-voltage contractor license.

This legislation allows counties where on premise consumption of alcoholic beverages is lawful to pass an ordinance or resolution authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages on premises from 12:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m. on any Sunday which occurs during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period (meaning March 16 through 18).