SB48 Alabama 2020 Session

Updated Feb 23, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Chris ElliottSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2020
Title: Entertainment districts, municipalities, govening body authorize to establish withtin its corporate limits, Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.
Summary: SB 48 authorizes certain Alabama municipalities to create entertainment districts within their borders where alcohol can be consumed within the district, with district limits and licensee requirements varying by municipality.
What This Bill Does
If passed, the bill allows designated municipalities to designate entertainment districts for licensed retailers and manufacturers, allowing patrons to exit premises with open containers and drink anywhere inside the district (but not enter other licensed premises with containers from outside the district). The number and size of districts depend on the municipality type, ranging from up to two districts (Class 5) to up to five districts (Class 1/2/3/4 or Gulf-border municipalities), and up to three districts for certain island or Gulf-related contexts, with each district bounded by roughly 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile and requiring a minimum number of licensees. It also defines what counts as “on-premises” consumption in the districts and provides rules for sidewalk, deck, or other connected areas, including during special events. The act would take effect immediately after Governor approval and repeals conflicting laws about entertainment district boundaries and sizes.

Who It Affects
Municipal governing bodies (city or town councils) of Class 5, Class 1/2/3/4, Class 8 (including island or Gulf-adjacent areas), and other qualifying municipalities, enabling them to establish entertainment districts within their corporate limits.
Alcohol licensees within the districts (retail liquor licensees for on-premises consumption and manufacturers conducting tastings), and their customers, who would be able to consume alcohol within the district and move alcohol-containing containers within the district boundaries under the new rules.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 28-3A-17.1 to authorize designated municipalities to establish entertainment districts within their corporate limits, with district rules varying by municipality type.
In a designated district, licensees may allow consumption of alcohol anywhere within the district and allow patrons to exit premises with open containers, so long as containers are not taken into other licensed premises outside the district and do not extend beyond the district boundaries.
District quantity and size limits by municipality type: up to two districts for Class 5; up to five districts for Class 1/2/3/4 or municipalities located 15 miles north of the Gulf; up to two districts for Class 8 in counties with Class 3 municipalities; up to three districts for certain island/Gulf-adjacent scenarios, each not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile and requiring a minimum number of licensees.
Some provisions specify that on-premises consumption can include sidewalks, decks, or other connected areas adjacent to licensed premises, and may include special event scenarios.
For island or Gulf-edge cases, additional district-specific configurations are allowed (e.g., a district on Dauphin Island properties or other special event areas) with similar size limits.
All laws or parts of laws that conflict with this section are repealed, and law provisions restricting district boundaries or size are superseded by this act.
The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Entertainment District