SB518 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Quinton Ross
Democrat
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. (2010-20686)
Summary: SB518 would create an entertainment district retail liquor license in certain Alabama municipalities, allowing designated districts to sell and let patrons drink alcohol within defined areas under specific size, license, and fee rules.
What This Bill Does
The bill creates a new entertainment district retail liquor license issued by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to permit sale and consumption of alcohol within designated entertainment districts in Class 1, 2, and 3 municipalities. It authorizes municipalities to establish up to two entertainment districts per city (not in residential areas) with at least four licensees each and area limits of up to 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile. It sets an $800 license fee for the entertainment district license, allows local governments to levy certain taxes conditioned on board-issued permits, and enables on-premises consumption and movement of open containers within the district, with restrictions on bringing containers from outside during dispensing times.

Who It Affects
Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 municipalities’ governing bodies, which may establish up to two entertainment districts per city, limit district size, and approve licenses.
Restaurant, hotel, civic center authority, dinner theatre, lounge, and club licensees within the districts, which may apply for and receive an entertainment district retail liquor license to sell alcohol and allow consumption within the district.

Key Provisions
Creates a new entertainment district retail liquor license to be issued by the Alabama ABC Board for use within designated entertainment districts.
Allows municipalities to establish up to two entertainment districts per city, not in residential areas, each with at least four licensees and area not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile (irregular shapes allowed).
Licensees may purchase liquor from the ABC Board or approved sources and sell liquor, wine, and beer for consumption within the district; patrons may leave licensed premises with open containers and consume anywhere inside the district, but not bring containers from outside during dispensing times.
Sets the entertainment district license fee at $800 and requires fees to be paid before issuance or renewal; permits local counties/municipalities to levy certain license taxes conditioned on the board-issued permit; prohibits taxes on liquor stores.
Revises Chapter 28-3A-21 license fee structure to include the new entertainment district license and related fees; repeals conflicting laws and any provisions restricting district boundaries.

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