Revision: Nov. 28, 2023, 8:11 a.m.
HB 1018 - AS INTRODUCED
2024 SESSION
24-2269
08/05
HOUSE BILL 1018
AN ACT relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses.
SPONSORS: Rep. Hunt, Ches. 14
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill makes changes to the laws relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
24-2269
08/05
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
AN ACT relative to on-premise and off-premise liquor licenses.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Combination License. Amend RSA 178:18, I to read as follows:
I. Off-premises licenses shall be issued only for grocery and drug stores [not holding on-premises licenses]. Such licenses shall authorize the licensees to sell fortified wine, table wine, beverages, and specialty beverages for consumption only off the premises designated in the licenses and not to other licensees for resale. Such sale shall be made only in the immediate container in which the beverage, specialty beverage, wine, or fortified wine was received by the off-premises combination licensee; except that in the case of the holder of a wholesale distributor license, beverages and specialty beverages may be sold only in such barrels, bottles, or other containers as the commission may by rule prescribe. Off-premises licenses may also authorize the licensee to sell tobacco products or e-cigarettes. There shall be no restriction on the number of combination licenses held by any person. The license shall authorize the licensee to transport and deliver beverages, specialty beverages, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and table or fortified wines ordered from and sold by the licensee in vehicles operated under the licensee's control or an employee's control.
2 Definitions. Amend RSA 175:1, L - LI to read as follows:
L. ["Off-sale"] "Off-premises" means table or fortified wine and beverage sold for consumption off the premises as authorized in this title.
LI. ["On sale"] "On-premises" means liquor, wine and beverage sold for consumption on the premises.
3 On-Premises Cocktail Lounge Licenses. Amend RSA 178:22, V(c)(2) to read as follows:
(2) Any ballroom may open its facilities to the public for functions of a limited duration during which time liquor, specialty beverages, and beverages shall not be available to patrons and during which time all liquor, beverages, and specialty beverages shall either be removed from the area open to the public or locked and [unaccessible] inaccessible to persons other than employees approved by the commission. Any licensee of a ballroom may so open the facilities upon notice in writing to the commission at least 5 business days prior to the function. If the facility is open for special functions at which time liquor, beverages, and specialty beverages are not available to patrons, the commission shall not impose any conditions as to who may attend such functions or whether or not live entertainment is provided so long as local fire and building code requirements are met.
4 On-Premises Cocktail Lounge Licenses; Club Licenses. Amend RSA 178:22, V(l)(4) to read as follows:
(4) No license shall be issued under subparagraph (l)(1) for premises holding other licenses issued by the commission except rental facilities on licensed [club] premises approved by the commission. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission or its investigators may suspend without warning any license issued under subparagraph (l)(1) if, in their opinion, such sale of liquor, beverages, specialty beverages is contrary to the public interest.
5 On-Premises Cocktail Lounges; Vessels. Amend RSA 178:22, V(s)(1)(B) to read as follows:
(B) Any licensee may open its vessel to school groups, youth organizations, or other gatherings of persons under the age of 18 years, for functions of a limited duration during which time all liquor, beverages, and specialty beverages shall not be made available to patrons and during which time all liquor, beverages, and specialty beverages shall either be removed from the vessel or be locked and [unaccessible] inaccessible to persons other than employees approved by the commission. Any licensee who opens its vessel to groups under age 18 shall give written notice to the commission of such function at least 5 business days prior to the function. The provisions of RSA 178:22, II shall not apply during these functions.
6 Liquor Manufacturer License. Amend RSA 178:6, III-a to read as follows:
III-a. Each liquor manufacturer [distilling] licensed to distill less than 1,000 cases of liquor per year may sell at retail at its facility for off-premises consumption any of its liquor. Each retail sale shall be limited to one 9-liter case or less per sale. No liquor manufacturer distilling less than 1,000 cases of liquor per year shall sell more than 12 9-liter cases of liquor to any one customer in any calendar year.
7 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.