S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6271
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
May 31, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sens. ADDABBO, KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Racing, Gaming
and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in
relation to regulation and sale of alcoholic beverages at certain
tribal casinos
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1340 of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breed-
ing law, as added by chapter 174 and subdivision 6 as amended by chapter
175 of the laws of 2013, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1340. Alcoholic beverages. 1. Notwithstanding any law to the contra-
ry, the authority to grant any license or permit for, or to permit or
prohibit the presence of, alcoholic beverages in, on, or about any prem-
ises licensed BY THE COMMISSION as part of a gaming facility, OR IN, ON,
OR ABOUT ANY INDIAN GAMING FACILITY, shall exclusively be vested in the
commission. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "INDIAN GAMING FACILITY"
SHALL MEAN A PREMISES DULY AUTHORIZED BY A TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY TO
CONDUCT CLASS II GAMING, CLASS III GAMING, OR BOTH, AS SUCH TERMS ARE
DEFINED IN 25 USC 2703, PURSUANT TO THE INDIAN GAMING REGULATORY ACT OF
1988, WHICH INCLUDES A GAMING AREA OR AREAS, AND ANY OTHER NON-GAMING
STRUCTURE RELATED TO THE GAMING AREA AS AN AMENITY, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, GOLF COURSES, GOLF CLUBHOUSES AND OTHER
AMENITIES, WHERE SUCH PREMISES IS LICENSED AND REGULATED BY AN INDIAN
TRIBE THAT HAS ELECTED COMMISSION OVERSIGHT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION
ONE-A OF THIS SECTION. THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO APPLY TO
ANY PROVISION OF NEW YORK LAW OTHER THAN THIS SECTION, TO ANY INDIAN
GAMING FACILITY THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE APPLY TO THE INDIAN GAMING
FACILITY ABSENT THIS SECTION, OR TO APPLY TO THIS SECTION TO ANY PREM-
ISES LICENSED AND REGULATED BY AN INDIAN TRIBE THAT HAS NOT ELECTED TO
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13087-01-9
S. 6271 2
BE TREATED AS AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE-A OF THIS SECTION.
1-A. AN INDIAN TRIBE MAY ELECT FOR THE STATE TO TREAT ALL PREMISES
AUTHORIZED BY SUCH TRIBE'S TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT CLASS II
GAMING, CLASS III GAMING, OR BOTH, AS AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY FOR THE
PURPOSES OF LICENSURE AND REGULATION UNDER THIS SECTION, BY NOTIFYING
THE COMMISSION AND THE STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY, IN WRITING, WITHIN SIXTY
DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THAT IT ELECTS COMMIS-
SION OVERSIGHT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. UPON RECEIPT
OF NOTICE BY THE COMMISSION THAT A TRIBE HAS MADE SUCH AN ELECTION UNDER
THIS SUBDIVISION, ANY PREMISES AUTHORIZED BY SUCH TRIBE'S TRIBAL GAMING
AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT CLASS II GAMING, CLASS III GAMING, OR BOTH, SHALL
BE CONSIDERED AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE
OF THIS SECTION, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, AND THE COMMISSION SHALL
ASSUME JURISDICTION OVER ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE LICENSES AND PERMITS
PREVIOUSLY ISSUED WITH RESPECT TO ANY INDIAN GAMING FACILITY LICENSED
AND REGULATED BY THAT TRIBE PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ELEVEN OF THIS
SECTION. AS A CONDITION OF ELECTING COMMISSION OVERSIGHT PURSUANT TO
THIS SECTION, AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY SHALL EXPRESSLY COMMIT IN WRIT-
ING TO FOLLOW THE REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED UNDER THIS SECTION, TO ADHERE TO
THE REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION,
AND TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSION'S ENFORCEMENT OF THIS SECTION AND REGU-
LATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER INCLUDING BY WAIVING TRIBAL SOVEREIGN
IMMUNITY FOR THE SOLE AND LIMITED PURPOSE OF SUCH ENFORCEMENT OF THIS
SECTION. AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY THAT DOES NOT ELECT COMMISSION OVER-
SIGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION SHALL REMAIN
SUBJECT TO ANY OTHER APPLICABLE STATE LAW GOVERNING THE LICENSURE AND
REGULATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN, ON, OR ABOUT THE INDIAN GAMING
FACILITY.
2. Unless otherwise stated, and except where inconsistent with the
purpose or intent of this article or the common understanding of usage
thereof, definitions contained in the alcoholic beverage control law
shall apply to this section. Any definition contained therein shall
apply to the same word in any form.
3. Notwithstanding any provision of the alcoholic beverage control law
to the contrary, the commission shall have the functions, powers and
duties of the state liquor authority but only with respect to the issu-
ance, renewal, transfer, suspension and revocation of licenses and
permits for the sale of alcoholic beverages at retail for on-premise
consumption by any holder of a gaming facility license issued by the
commission, OR FOR ON-PREMISES CONSUMPTION AT ANY INDIAN GAMING FACILI-
TY, including, without limitation, the power to fine or penalize a casi-
no OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic beverage licensee or permittee;
to enforce all statutes, laws, rulings, or regulations relating to such
license or permit; and to collect license and permit fees and establish
application standards therefor.
4. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the provisions of the
alcoholic beverage control law and the rules, regulations, bulletins,
orders, and advisories promulgated by the state liquor authority shall
apply to any gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY holding a license
or permit to sell alcoholic beverages under this section.
5. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the commission may
promulgate any regulations and special rulings and findings as may be
necessary for the proper enforcement, regulation, and control of alco-
holic beverages in gaming facilities AND INDIAN GAMING FACILITIES when
the commission finds that the uniqueness of gaming facility AND INDIAN
S. 6271 3
GAMING FACILITY operations and the public interest require that such
regulations, rulings, and findings are appropriate.
6. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any manufac-
turer or wholesaler licensed under the alcoholic beverage control law
may, as authorized under the alcoholic beverage control law, sell alco-
holic beverages to a gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY holding a
retail license or permit to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on
the premises issued under this section, and any gaming facility OR INDI-
AN GAMING FACILITY holding a retail license or permit to sell alcoholic
beverages for consumption on the premises issued under this section may,
as authorized under the alcoholic beverage control law, purchase alco-
holic beverages from a manufacturer or wholesaler licensed under the
alcoholic beverage control law.
7. It shall be unlawful for any person, including any gaming facility
OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY licensee, or any of [its] THEIR lessees,
agents or employees, to expose for sale, solicit or promote the sale of,
possess with intent to sell, sell, give, dispense, or otherwise transfer
or dispose of alcoholic beverages in, on, or about any portion of the
premises of a gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY, unless said
person possesses a license or permit issued under this section.
8. It shall be unlawful for any person holding a license or permit to
sell alcoholic beverages under this section to expose, possess, sell,
give, dispense, transfer, or otherwise dispose of alcoholic beverages,
other than within the terms and conditions of such license or permit,
the provisions of the alcoholic beverage control law, the rules and
regulations promulgated by the state liquor authority, and, when appli-
cable, the regulations promulgated pursuant to this article. Notwith-
standing any other provision of law to the contrary the holder of a
license or permit issued under this section may be authorized to provide
complimentary alcoholic beverages under regulations issued by the
commission.
9. In issuing a casino OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic beverage
license or permit, the commission shall describe the scope of the
particular license or permit, and the restrictions and limitations ther-
eon as it deems necessary and reasonable. The commission may, in a
single casino OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic beverage license,
permit the holder of such a license or permit to perform any or all of
the following activities, subject to applicable laws, rules and regu-
lations:
(a) To sell any alcoholic beverage by the glass or other open recepta-
cle including, but not limited to, an original container, for on-premise
consumption within a facility; provided, however, that no alcoholic
beverage shall be sold or given for consumption; delivered or otherwise
brought to a patron; or consumed at a gaming table unless so requested
by the patron.
(b) To sell any alcoholic beverage by the glass or other open recepta-
cle for on-premise consumption within a gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING
FACILITY.
(c) To sell any alcoholic beverage by the glass or other open recepta-
cle or in original containers from a room service location within an
enclosed room not in a gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY;
provided, however, that any sale of alcoholic beverages is delivered
only to a guest room or to any other room in the gaming facility OR
INDIAN GAMING FACILITY authorized by the commission.
(d) To possess or to store alcoholic beverages in original containers
intended but not actually exposed for sale at a fixed location on a
S. 6271 4
gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY premises, not in a gaming
facility OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY; and to transfer or deliver such
alcoholic beverages only to a location approved pursuant to this
section; provided, however, that no access to or from a storage location
shall be permitted except during the normal course of business by
employees or agents of the licensee, or by licensed employees or agents
of wholesalers or distributors licensed pursuant to the alcoholic bever-
age control law and any applicable rules and regulations; and provided
further, however, that no provision of this section shall be construed
to prohibit a casino OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic beverage licen-
see from obtaining an off-site storage license from the state liquor
authority.
10. The commission may revoke, suspend, refuse to renew or refuse to
transfer any casino OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic beverage license
or permit, and may fine or penalize the holder of any alcoholic beverage
license or permit issued under this section for violations of any
provision of the alcoholic beverage control law, the rules and regu-
lations promulgated by the state liquor authority, and the regulations
promulgated by the commission.
11. Jurisdiction over all alcoholic beverage licenses and permits
previously issued with respect to the gaming facility OR INDIAN GAMING
FACILITY is hereby vested in the commission, which in its discretion
[may] SHALL by regulation, RULE, OR POLICY PROMPTLY provide for the
conversion thereof into a casino OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY alcoholic
beverage license or permit as provided in this section. THIS SECTION
SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF ANY EXISTING LICENSES
AND PERMITS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED TO AN INDIAN GAMING FACILITY BY THE STATE
LIQUOR AUTHORITY, OR THE CONTINUATION OF ANY ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS COMMENCED BY THE STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY PRIOR TO THE EFFEC-
TIVE DATE OF THE CHAPTER OF THE LAWS OF 2019 THAT AMENDED THIS SECTION.
ANY SUCH LICENSE OR PERMIT PREVIOUSLY ISSUED TO AN INDIAN GAMING FACILI-
TY BY THE STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY SHALL REMAIN VALID UNTIL THE DATE THAT
SUCH LICENSE OR PERMIT IS DULY CONVERTED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION
INTO A LICENSE OR PERMIT ISSUED BY THE COMMISSION, AND THE COMMISSION
SHALL ASSUME EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY SUCH PREVIOUSLY ISSUED
LICENSE OR PERMIT, AND OVER ANY SUCH PREVIOUSLY COMMENCED ADMINISTRATIVE
ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS.
12. (a) Prior to issuing any license under this section, the commis-
sion, or its designee, shall consult with the state liquor authority, or
its designee, to confirm that such application and such gaming facility
OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY conforms with all applicable provisions of the
alcoholic beverage control law, and all applicable rules, regulations,
bulletins, orders and advisories promulgated by the state liquor author-
ity;
(b) Prior to commencing enforcement actions against any gaming facili-
ty OR INDIAN GAMING FACILITY licensed under this section, the commis-
sion, or its designee, shall consult with the state liquor authority, or
its designee, with respect to the application of the applicable
provisions of the alcoholic beverage control law, and all applicable
rules, regulations, bulletins, orders and advisories promulgated by the
state liquor authority on the alleged conduct of such licensee; and
(c) The commission, or its designee, shall consult with the state
liquor authority, or its designee, on a regular basis, but no less than
once every three months, regarding any pending applications and enforce-
ment matters.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.