HB704 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Locy Baker

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

James O. GordonThad McClammyYvonne KennedyJames E. BuskeyButch TaylorJohn Robinson

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Entertainment districts, Class 1, 2, and 3 municipalities authorized to establish, regulation of sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, retail liquor license issued by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, license fee levied, Sec. 28-3A-21 am'd.

Summary

The bill would create a new entertainment district liquor license in certain Alabama cities to allow sale and consumption of alcohol within designated districts.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue an entertainment district retail liquor license for qualifying venues (restaurants, hotels, civic centers, dinner theatres, lounges, clubs) in Class 1–3 municipalities, to allow sale and consumption of liquor, wine, and beer within the district. Patrons may leave licensed premises with in-district open containers and drink anywhere inside the district, but there are rules about not bringing in containers from outside while a licensee is dispensing. Each municipality can have up to two entertainment districts (not in residential areas), each district must have at least four licensees and be no larger than about a half-mile by half-mile. The bill also changes license fees to include a specific $800 fee for the entertainment district license, allows local governments to levy related license taxes with board approval, and repeals conflicting laws.

Who It Affects

• Class 1–3 municipalities and their residents/businesses, which would be allowed to establish up to two entertainment districts with defined size and licensee requirements.
• Licensees within the districts (such as restaurants, hotels, civic centers, dinner theatres, lounges, and clubs) and their patrons, who would be governed by the new entertainment district license, sale/consumption rules, and the open-container provisions.

Key Provisions

• Creates an entertainment district retail liquor license and authorizes the ABC Board to issue it for sale and consumption of alcohol within district boundaries.
• Allows municipalities to establish up to two entertainment districts per city, not in residential areas, each with at least four licensees and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area.
• Permits on-premises consumption and allows patrons to exit licensed premises with open containers to drink within the district, with restrictions on importing alcohol from outside while dispensing remains ongoing.
• Sets the entertainment district license fee at $800 and amends the existing license fee schedule for other licenses; permits local license taxes conditioned on board-permitted districts; prohibits counties/municipalities from taxing liquor stores.
• Repeals conflicting laws and designations that would restrict the boundaries or size of entertainment districts; act becomes effective upon passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Entertainment Districts