HB514 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Dickie Drake

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Municipalities, allow Class 6, 7, or 8 municipality to establish not more than two entertainment districts, Act 2013-382, 2013 Reg. Sess., Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.

Summary

The bill expands which Alabama municipalities can create entertainment districts and sets rules on how many districts they can have, how big they must be, how many liquor-licensed businesses they must include, and how alcohol can be consumed within them.

What This Bill Does

It allows additional municipalities in counties that have a Class 1 municipality to establish entertainment districts within their borders. It sets district limits by municipality class, including up to two districts for some municipalities and up to five for others, each district requiring a minimum number of liquor-licensed businesses and a maximum geographic size. It permits drinking alcohol anywhere inside an entertainment district and allows patrons to exit licensed premises with opened alcohol, but not to take those containers into other licensed premises, and it repeals conflicting laws. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities in counties that contain a Class 1 municipality (and those with incorporated arts councils, main street programs, or downtown development entities) that want to establish entertainment districts.
• Businesses holding liquor licenses (restaurant retail liquor licenses, on-premises alcohol licenses, or other retail liquor licenses) located within these districts, which must meet minimum licensee requirements per district.
• Residents and visitors within the designated entertainment districts who may consume alcohol within the district boundaries.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which would issue entertainment district designations for applicable licenses.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 28-3A-17.1 to authorize additional municipalities (including those in counties with a Class 1 municipality) to establish entertainment districts.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board may designate entertainment districts for on-premises alcohol licenses located within districts established under this section.
• Class 2 or Class 5 municipalities (and certain others described in the act) may establish up to two entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area.
• Class 1, Class 3, Class 4 municipalities (and certain Gulf of Mexico-located municipalities) may establish up to five entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area.
• Class 6, Class 7, or Class 2 municipalities in a county with a Class 1 municipality may establish up to three entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area.
• Class 8 municipalities in a county with a Class 3 municipality may establish up to two entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area.
• The act repeals conflicting laws and any existing boundaries or size restrictions related to entertainment districts.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage and 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

Municipalities