Prohibits pub crawls in a city with a population of one million or more; defines the term "pub crawl" to mean the organized act by a licensee to entice one or more people drinking alcoholic beverages, with the purpose of becoming intoxicated, in multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally walking or busing to each one between drinking; provides for the revocation of a license where a licensee violates the provisions of section 117-c of the alcoholic beverage control law.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A4563
SPONSOR: Kellner TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in
relation to prohibiting "pub crawls" in a city with a population of one
million or more
PURPOSE: This bill Prohibits pub crawls in a city with a population of
One million or more
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Prohibits the distribution of alcohol to a person with a
wrist band, cup or other object indicating a pub crawl in cities with
alcoholic beverages for a set period of time and for a fixed price, with
the purpose of becoming intoxicated, in multiple pubs or bars in a
single night, normally walking or busing to each one between drinking
unlimited number of drinks. The section further prohibits the advertise-
ment or organizing of pub crawls in cities of a million or more.
Section 2: Punishment for violation of this act shall include, but not
be limited to, the revocation of a license if a licensee participates in
a pub crawl. Defines "pub crawl" as "the organized act by a licensee to
entice one or more people drinking alcoholic beverages, with the purpose
of becoming intoxicated, in multiple pubs or bars in a single night,
normally walking or busing to each one between drinking".
JUSTIFICATION:
Social media has significantly increased the number of so-called "pub
crawls" - wherein neighborhood bars and restaurants combine forces to
offer drink specials to anyone with a wristband or other identifying
paraphernalia. These pub crawls sometimes last all day and night. They
often lead to thousands of loud, rowdy and - occasionally violent -
intoxicated individuals who overtake entire neighborhoods.
Some communities have tried unsuccessfully to ban them entirely for fear
of vomiting, public urination, destruction of property or just unpleas-
ant levels of noise. However, the public has often found itself power-
less to stop pub crawls from taking place.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: Undetermined.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect on the on the one hundred
eightieth day after it shall have become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
4563
2013-2014 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 6, 2013
___________
Introduced by M. of A. KELLNER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Economic Development
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
prohibiting "pub crawls" in a city with a population of one million or
more
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The alcoholic beverage control law is amended by adding a
2 new section 117-c to read as follows:
3 § 117-c. Pub crawls prohibited; cities with a population of one
4 million or more. 1. In a city with a population of one million or more,
5 no licensee, acting individually or in conjunction with one or more
6 licensees, shall:
7 (a) offer, sell, serve, or deliver to any person or persons a wrist
8 band, cup or other object delineating a pub crawl whereby such person
9 may drink alcoholic beverages for a set period of time and for a fixed
10 price, with the purpose of becoming intoxicated, in multiple pubs or
11 bars in a single night, normally walking or busing to each one between
12 drinking unlimited number of drinks.
13 (b) allow a person, agent, party organizer, or promoter, as such terms
14 shall be defined by the authority in rule and regulation, to offer,
15 sell, serve, or deliver to any person or persons a wrist band, cup or
16 other object delineating a pub crawl whereby such person may drink alco-
17 holic beverages for a set period of time and for a fixed price, with the
18 purpose of becoming intoxicated, in multiple pubs or bars in a single
19 night, normally walking or busing to each one between drinking unlimited
20 number of drinks.
21 (c) advertise, promote, or charge a price for drinks that in the judg-
22 ment of the authority creates an offering of alcoholic beverages in
23 violation of the purposes and intent of this section, or which in the
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07517-01-3
A. 4563 2
1 judgment of the authority is an attempt to circumvent the intent and
2 purposes of this section.
3 2. As used in this section, licensee means and includes the licensee,
4 and any employees, or agents of such licensee.
5 3. The authority shall investigate any documented allegation of a
6 violation of this section upon a complaint by any person. Pursuant to
7 subdivision six of section one hundred ten-a of this article, such
8 licensee's license shall be revoked.
9 4. The authority shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to
10 implement the provisions of this section.
11 § 2. Section 110-a of the alcoholic beverage control law is amended by
12 adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
13 6. In a city with a population of one million or more, information
14 prohibiting pub crawls. Such information shall include, but not be
15 limited to, the revocation of a license if a licensee participates in a
16 pub crawl. For the purposes of this section, the term "pub crawl" shall
17 mean the organized act by a licensee to entice one or more people drink-
18 ing alcoholic beverages, with the purpose of becoming intoxicated, in
19 multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally walking or busing to
20 each one between drinking.
21 § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
22 it shall have become a law.
