HB17 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: James E. Buskey
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Entertainment districts, Class 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 municipalities authorized to establish, regulation of sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages, retail liquor license issued by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (2011-20565)
Summary: HB17 creates entertainment districts in certain Alabama municipalities, authorizing a new license designation to permit sale and consumption of alcohol within the district and allowing open-container drinking inside the district.
What This Bill Does
The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may issue an entertainment district designation for retail licenses in Class 1-5 municipalities, allowing the sale of alcohol for consumption on the licensed premises within the district. Patrons may exit a licensed premises with open containers and drink anywhere inside the entertainment district, but cannot take drinks into another licensed premises or outside the district. Municipalities may establish up to two entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and not larger than a half-mile by half-mile (districts may be irregular in shape); the act also repeals conflicting laws and becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects
Alcohol retailers holding retail liquor licenses in Class 1-5 municipalities, who can apply for and receive an entertainment district designation to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption within the district.
Customers and patrons, who may drink open containers within the entertainment district but cannot bring drinks into other licensed premises or leave the district with alcohol.
Municipal governments, which may create up to two entertainment districts per city and set limits on the number of licensees and the district size.
The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which will issue entertainment district designations and oversee compliance with the new rules.

Key Provisions
Creates an entertainment district designation for on-premises alcohol retail licenses in Class 1-5 municipalities, issued by the ABC Board.
Patrons may exit licensed premises with open containers and consume alcohol anywhere within the entertainment district, but may not enter another licensed premises with such containers or take them outside the district.
Each municipality may establish up to two entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and a size not exceeding 0.5 miles by 0.5 miles (districts may be irregular in shape).
The act repeals conflicting laws and any existing restrictions on district boundaries or size, and becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Entertainment Districts