SB 87-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-1032
08/09
SENATE BILL 87-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. McGough, Dist 11; Rep. C. McGuire, Merr. 27
COMMITTEE: Commerce
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ANALYSIS
This bill allows for-profit organizations to receive a one day liquor license and makes barber shops, salons, and spas eligible for on-premises 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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-1032
08/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Subparagraph; On-Premises Licenses; For-Profit Organizations. Amend RSA 178:22, V by inserting after subparagraph (l) the following new subparagraph:
(l-a) One Day Licenses for For-Profit Organizations.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 178:2, I, the commission may issue a limited license to any responsible individual representing a for-profit group or organization approved by the commission.
(2) Events held under this license shall be limited to 500 or less patrons. No more than 6 licenses shall be issued to any one entity in a calendar year.
(3) Such license shall authorize the licensee to sell, on premises approved by the commission, beverages, specialty beverages, and liquor on the approved premises.
(4) No license shall be issued under subparagraph (l-a)(1) unless the organization's representative obtains:
(A) Official approval of the chief of the local fire department as to the safety of the premises.
(B) Official approval of the local health department concerning sanitary accommodations.
(C) Official approval of the chief of police as to accessibility of the premises. Written statements from such officials shall accompany the application for the license. Such application shall be filed with the commission 15 days before the date on which the license is needed.
(5) No person under the age of 18 shall be allowed in those areas where beverages, specialty beverages, and liquor are served, unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse. The selectmen of the town in which such licenses are held may, at their discretion, assign police officers to the premises where liquor, beverages, or specialty beverages are being served.
(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission or its investigators may suspend without warning any license issued under subparagraph (l-a)(1) if, in their opinion, such sale of liquor, beverages, specialty beverages is contrary to the public interest.
2 Free Tastings. Amend RSA 179:44, II to read as follows:
II. Notwithstanding paragraph I, beverage manufacturers, liquor manufacturers, rectifiers, beverage vendors, brew pubs, wholesale distributors and their liquor or wine vendors, their liquor and wine representatives, domestic wine manufacturers, and on-premises and off-premises licensees may conduct beverage, liquor, or wine tasting, as applicable, on [licensed] premises approved by the commission. Liquor, beverage, or wine tasting shall be conducted only during such hours as are authorized by the commission for the sale of the product on the premises.
3 New Subparagraph; Barber; Salon; Spa. Amend RSA 178:22, V by inserting after subparagraph (v) the following new subparagraph:
(w) The commission may issue a cocktail lounge license to a business currently licensed through the office of professional licensure and certification as a barber, hair salon, or spa to serve alcoholic beverages and liquor to customers who are receiving services from said establishment. The service of alcoholic beverages and liquor shall be limited to the scheduled appointment time of the patron receiving services.
(1) The license under this chapter will authorize the holder to serve alcoholic beverages and liquor for free or for a fee. The licensee shall keep records of the alcohol type, quantity, and patron served. Such records shall be retained by the licensed facility and shall be made available to the commission upon request.
(2) For the purposes of this subparagraph, persons under the age of 18 years shall be allowed in the cocktail lounge without a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
25-1032
1/17/25
SB 87-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from the Liquor Commission. The Department was contacted on 1/10/25 for a fiscal note worksheet. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the Senate Clerk's Office.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Liquor Commission
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4, 2025 | Senate | Hearing |
Jan. 28, 2025: Hearing: 02/04/2025, Room 100, SH, 10:30 am; SC 8
Jan. 22, 2025: Introduced 01/09/2025 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 3