HB57 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ron Johnson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Community development districts, alcoholic beverages authorized, add'l types of districts authorized in wet county for Sunday sales, resort property meeting certain criteria, Secs. 35-8B-1, 35-8B-2, 35-8B-3 am'd.

Summary

HB57 would create a new type of community development district in certain counties and allow Sunday alcohol sales within that district once it is formed and approved.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a new class of community development district and expands alcohol sale rules in various district types. It would allow Sunday alcohol sales inside a newly formed district in wet counties that previously did not authorize Sunday sales, and it broadens permissions for alcohol sales in large or specially equipped districts by waiving certain existing restrictions. It also adjusts how districts are established, including owner consent, boundary descriptions, and initial governance, and preserves club-based on-site alcohol sales for members and guests in designated districts.

Who It Affects

• Residents and visitors within a district located in a wet county that does not currently allow Sunday alcohol sales, who would gain the ability to buy alcohol on Sundays inside that district once incorporation and board approval occur.
• Property owners, developers, and clubs seeking to form a new community development district (and the operators of clubs within such districts), who must meet new establishment requirements (such as owner consent thresholds, boundary mapping, and initial board selection) and may gain broader authority to sell alcohol within the district.

Key Provisions

• Creates an additional class of community development district defined in 35-8B-1(d) for large private developments (at least 650 acres) in a dry county that has wet municipalities; this district can have alcohol sales authorized without the usual 35-8B-3 restrictions.
• Notwithstanding other laws, alcohol sales and distribution by ABC-Board licensees are authorized in the district defined in 35-8B-1(d) and 35-8B-3 shall not apply to that district.
• In districts formed under 35-8B-1(a), (b), or (d), alcoholic beverages may be sold for on-premises consumption to members and their guests via a club liquor license, with on-site consumption and member-account charging.
• If a majority of the board of control of certain districts consents, alcohol may be sold in the district seven days a week by any licensee licensed by the ABC Board.
• Establishment of a district requires 51% owner consent, a boundary description, a schematic layout, and initial board appointments (five members with two elected by club members, plus process for replacements).
• Administrative and filing fees for establishing a district include specified payments to the probate judge, the hosting county, and the municipality (where applicable).
• The bill becomes effective immediately upon the Governor's 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

Alcoholic Beverages