A Birmingham lawmaker has proposed that food trucks in his city be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages in open containers in the vicinity of the food truck.
Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, introduced HB416 on Tuesday. The bill allows the Alabama Alcoholic Control Board to issue alcohol licenses to food trucks for off-premises consumption to customers who may consume the beverages in open containers anywhere within the confines of “a defined boundary.” His bill only applies to food trucks in Class 1 municipalities. Birmingham is the state’s only Class 1 municipality. The bill has been assigned to the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee.
Earlier in the session, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved legislation that would allow retailers licensed for off-premise beer and wine sales to have a drive-through or walk-up window. SB155 by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, has been awaiting consideration by the full Senate since March 3.
Whatley’s bill originally pertained to all alcohol sales, but the committee amended the bill to cover just beer and wine sales.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee on Wednesday approved approved two community development districts that will allow alcohol sales in two specific Jackson County locations.
SB133 by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, now goes to the House for final consideration. The Alabama Senate approved the bill on March 5. Livingston said one district encompasses a hotel on the south side of the Tennessee River and the other a wedding venue.
DRAFT BEER
The House on March 5 approved HB339 by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette, which would allow the city of Sulligent to permit properly licensed businesses to sell draft or keg beer through the adoption of a city ordinance. It awaits consideration by the Senate Local Legislation Committee.
ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS
Legislation to allow Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to have up to three entertainments districts for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is ready for final consideration in the House.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved SB48 by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Fairhope. The bill would add those two Class 8 cities “whose corporate limits touch the high water mark of the Gulf of Mexico” to the state’s entertainment district law. Retail liquor license holders within those cities’ entertainment districts could sell alcoholic beverages on a deck, boardwalk or city sidewalk immediately adjacent to or connected to their premises as well as during special events, directly outside the entrance of the premises. The Senate approved the bill Feb. 13.
SUNDAY SALES
The House approved legislation Feb. 25 to allow the Faunsdale Town Council to regulate on- and off-premise Sunday alcohol sales through a town ordinance. HB142 by Rep. Ralph Howard, D-Greensboro, now goes to the Senate Local Legislation Committee for consideration.
OTHER ALCOHOL-RELATED LEGISLATION
House’s March 26 calendar contains delivery service license for sealed beer and wine
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