HB185 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: James E. Buskey
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Class 2 municipalities, entertainment districts, authorized to have five, licensed premises further defined, Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.
Summary: HB185 would let Class 2 municipalities create up to five entertainment districts where alcohol can be consumed across the district, with defined rules for licensed premises.
What This Bill Does
The bill amends the state alcohol law to allow Class 2 municipalities to designate entertainment districts. Each district must have at least four licensees and be limited in size to 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile. Patrons may leave a licensed premises with open containers and drink anywhere inside the district, but cannot take drinks into other licensed premises, and the district’s boundaries do not expand the licensed premises. For Class 2 municipalities, the licensed premises in a district can include sidewalks or decks adjacent to the premises and may include outdoor areas during special events. The act repeals conflicting laws and takes effect immediately after the governor signs it.

Who It Affects
Class 2 municipalities and their local governments will have new authority to establish up to five entertainment districts with specific size and licensee requirements.
Retail liquor license holders and patrons within these entertainment districts will operate under new rules about where alcohol can be consumed and how open containers are handled within the district.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 28-3A-17.1 to apply entertainment district authority to Class 2 (and related) municipalities and to establish designations for on-premises liquor licenses within districts.
Establishes that each district must have not fewer than four licensees and must be limited to not more than 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile in area, though shapes may be irregular.
In Class 2 municipalities, entertainment districts include the licensed premises’ adjacent sidewalks or decks and may include areas directly outside the entrance during special events.
Patrons may exit licensed premises with open containers and consume anywhere within the entertainment district, but may not enter another licensed premises with open or closed containers acquired elsewhere.
Consumption within an entertainment district does not extend or alter the licensed premises’ boundaries.
The act repeals conflicting laws and becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it.

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 2 Municipalities