HB269 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phil Williams

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mike BallMac McCutcheonWayne JohnsonSteve McMillanJim PattersonLaura Hall

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Class 1, 3, 4, and 5 municipalities, establishment of entertainment districts authorized, Act 2012-438, 2012 Reg Sess., am'd; Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.

Summary

HB269 allows certain Alabama cities to create entertainment districts where alcohol can be consumed within the district, with limits on number, size, and participating licensees.

What This Bill Does

The bill lets designated municipalities designate entertainment districts for on-premises liquor licenses. Each district must have at least four licensees and be no larger than 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile, though shapes can be irregular. Patrons may exit licensed premises with open containers and drink anywhere inside the district, but not outside the district or into another licensed premises, and the district’s boundaries do not expand the licensed premises themselves. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would issue these district designations for eligible licenses, and the act repeals conflicting laws; it takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Municipal governments in Class 1–5 (and certain named cities and municipalities with arts councils or downtown development entities) that gain authority to establish entertainment districts and set district rules.
• Liquor licensees within designated districts and their customers, who can sell and consume alcohol within the district and must follow the new rules (including open-container allowances and minimum district licensee requirements).

Key Provisions

• Applicable to Class 1–5 municipalities (including Phenix City, Selma, Pritchard) and municipalities with an incorporated arts council, main street program, or downtown development entity.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may issue an entertainment district designation for on-premises liquor licenses within a district.
• Within a designated district, patrons may exit licensed premises with open containers and consume alcohol anywhere inside the district, but cannot enter another licensed premises with those containers or take alcohol outside the district.
• Each entertainment district must be within 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile (irregular shapes allowed) and contain at least four licensees holding a relevant liquor license.
• District limits by municipality class: Class 1 municipalities may have up to five districts; Class 2–5 municipalities may have up to two districts; a Class 8 municipality in a county with a Class 3 municipality may have up to two districts; additional provisions apply to Class 1, Class 4, Class 3 municipalities or those located 15 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico for up to five districts.
• All laws that conflict with this act are repealed and existing boundaries or size restrictions on entertainment districts are repealed where applicable.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following 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

Class 1 Municipalities