SB62 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Entertainment districts, municipalities, allow ABC licensees to sell alcohol for consumption within districts, revise qualifications for certain municipalities to establish, Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.

Summary

SB62 lets certain municipalities create bounded entertainment districts where alcohol can be consumed within the district, with specific size and licensee requirements and changes to how districts are established.

What This Bill Does

The bill authorizes local governments in several classes of municipalities to establish entertainment districts inside their borders. It allows retailers and certain manufacturers with on-premises alcohol licenses to obtain district designations and enables patrons to drink alcohol anywhere inside the district (but not take drinks into other licensed premises). It sets minimum numbers of licensees and maximum district sizes, with different limits by municipality class, and includes specific island and special-event provisions for certain Class 8 areas. It also repeals conflicting laws and becomes effective immediately upon signing.

Who It Affects

• Municipal governing bodies in Class 1–8 municipalities (and those with related programs like arts councils or downtown development entities) who may establish entertainment districts under specified conditions
• Retail liquor licensees and manufacturers with tastings who may receive entertainment district designations and operate within those districts
• Residents and visitors who participate in the districts, who may consume alcohol within the district and move between licensed premises within the district
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and local governments that approve, regulate, and oversee these districts

Key Provisions

• Authorizes designation of entertainment districts for retailers licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption and manufacturers that conduct tastings, provided they are located in an eligible entertainment district
• Within an entertainment district, patrons may exit licensed premises with open containers and consume anywhere inside the district, but cannot enter or carry containers into other licensed premises
• Class 5 municipalities may establish up to two districts, each with at least four licensees holding a retail liquor license, and each district not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile
• Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 municipalities or those located at least 15 miles north of the Gulf may establish up to five districts, each with at least four licensees holding a qualifying license (manufacturers with tastings, restaurant retail liquor, on-premises, or other retail licenses), and each district not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile
• Class 8 municipalities in counties with Class 3 municipalities may establish two districts, each with at least four licensees holding a retail liquor license and not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile
• Isle Dauphine/Dauphin Island-related provisions allow three districts with specific layouts (one with at least two licensees, one for special events, and one on Isle Dauphine), each not exceeding 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile
• Class 8 municipalities that meet certain qualifications may establish three districts (not in counties with Class 2, abutting major waterways, and having an incorporated arts/main street/downtown entity) with at least four licensees per district and a 0.5 by 0.5 mile size limit
• Sidewalks, decks, or other adjacent areas may be counted as part of a district’s licensed area with approval, and licensees must have control over all property included
• All conflicting laws are repealed to the extent they restrict or designate district boundaries or areas, with immediate effect upon passage and 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