SB 247 (Sen Virgil Smith – Detroit), a bill to establish a 2 am to 4 am liquor licenses in DDAs, had a testimony only hearing today in the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee.  This legislation would allow an on-premise license to apply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for a permit to serve alcohol from 2 am to 4 am for a $10,000 fee.  The $10,000 fee is dispersed as follows: 85% to the local policy department, 5% to local municipality for administrative purposes, and 10% to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission for administrative purposes.

In the introduced bill, there is no local government approval needed before a license is given.  The $10,000 fee is also a very low number and wouldn’t provide the needed financial support for a local unit of government in providing adequate policing of these establishments from 2 am to 4 am.  The League is opposed to the legislation as introduced.  However, we have had great conversations with Sen. Smith and his staff and he is working with us on both of our issues.  I would like to thank Sen. Smith and his staff for all of their work in addressing our concerns.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League handling economic development and land use issues.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.