SB41 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Class 1 municipalities, entertainment districts, additional authorized, under certain conditions, Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.
Summary: SB41 lets Class 1 Alabama cities create up to 15 entertainment districts inside city limits with specific licensing and size rules for alcohol service and consumption.
What This Bill Does
It amends Section 28-3A-17.1 to authorize Class 1 municipalities to establish up to 15 entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees and no more than 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile. Within these districts, patrons may consume alcohol off the licensed premises and may exit with open containers to drink anywhere inside the district, but cannot take containers into other licensed premises and the district does not extend the licensed premises themselves. The bill also sets separate, smaller district allowances for other municipality classes (up to two districts for some, up to five districts for others, and up to three for certain Class 8/ island municipalities) with similar licensing and area requirements, and it repeals conflicting laws and becomes effective after governor approval.

Who It Affects
Class 1 municipalities (cities) and the liquor licensees within those proposed districts, who would gain authority to designate up to 15 entertainment districts meeting minimum licensee and size requirements and allow on-district consumption with open containers.
Other municipalities (Class 2, 3, 4, 5, potentially Class 8 and Gulf-area/Island towns) and their liquor licensees, who would be subject to separate district limits (2, 5, or 3 districts depending on class) with corresponding licensing and geographic rules.

Key Provisions
Class 1 municipalities may establish up to 15 entertainment districts; each district must have at least four licensees holding appropriate licenses (manufacturers, restaurant retail liquor, on-premises, or other retail licenses) and be no larger than 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile, though shapes may be irregular.
Within an entertainment district, patrons may consume alcohol anywhere inside the district and may exit licensed premises with open containers to drink inside the district, but may not enter another licensed premises with such containers or extend the licensed premises themselves.
Class 5 municipalities or those covered by Act 2013-382 may establish up to two entertainment districts, each with at least four licensees holding a retail liquor license and each district limited to 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile.
For Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4 municipalities, or those located 15 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, up to five districts may be created, each with at least four licensees holding a manufacturer’s license (for tastings), a restaurant retail liquor license, an on-premises license, or another retail license, and each district limited to 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile.
Class 8 municipalities may establish up to three districts, with at least four licensees holding a retail liquor license in each district and each district limited to 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile; provisions also address special conditions for island municipalities and decks/sidewalks.
Certain Class 8 provisions include requirements about location relationships (e.g., island-adjacent, intracoastal waterway or Gulf proximity) and allow inclusion of decks or sidewalks as part of licensed premises with licensee control of property.
All laws conflicting with this section are repealed, including laws that restrict the size or boundaries of entertainment districts.
The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it passes and is approved by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Class 1 Municipalities