BILL NUMBER: S8966

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
ending the local option of towns and cities to prohibit the sale of
alcohol; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would eliminate all current - and prohibit any future - dry
communities in New York State.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 - Amends the alcoholic beverage control law by adding a new
section 132, which makes the sale of alcohol lawful in any municipality
that had previously prohibited its sale. Precludes municipalities from
enacting any future prohibition on the sale of alcohol.

Section 2 - Repeals article nine (local option) of the alcoholic bever-
              

age control law.

Section 3 - Effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Despite being an antiquated relic of the temperance movement, a handful
of dry municipalities still exist in NYS where an individual of lawful
age and sound mind cannot purchase an alcoholic beverage.  In modern
society, the sale and consumption of alcohol is an extremely and tightly
regulated industry. A plethora of local, state, and federal health,
safety, and economic protections exist to ensure that alcohol is sold
and consumed as responsibly as possible. Dry communities can also force
residents and visitors to travel greater distances in order to enjoy
libations, which in itself can lead to public safety hazards. This bill
would broaden consumer choice, spur new business, and integrate outlier
municipalities with the rest of the state in relation to the permitted
sale of alcohol.

 
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:

Potentially greater tax revenue.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after is shall have
become a law.