Provides for issuance of annual permits authorizing on-premises consumption licensees to be open between 10:00 AM and noon on Sunday, and special permits to be open between 8:00 AM and noon on Sunday.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9668
SPONSOR: Benedetto TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption
on Sunday mornings
PURPOSE:
This legislation creates a new permit for the sale and consumption of
alcoholic beverages after ten and before noon on Sunday at locations
previously licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for on premise consump-
tion and, in addition, allows premises to apply for a special permit to
be open for up to twelve Sundays per year between eight and twelve noon.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends section one hundred and six of the alcohol-
ic beverage control law amending subdivision (a) of subdivision five
allowing for an exception under a new section 99-h of such law or by
special permit.
Section 2 of the bill creates new section 99-h to provide for an annual
permit to remain open during certain hours of Sunday morning.
Subdivision 1 of the new section 99-h permits a person that is currently
licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on premises to
apply for a new annual permit to remain open and serve alcohol between
the hours of ten am and noon on Sunday.
Subdivision 2 of the new section 99-h establishes the fee for the annual
permit for the Sunday morning sales.
Subdivision 3 of the new section 99-h states that the annual permit and
exercise of the privileges shall be subject to such rules as the liquor
authority deems necessary.
Section 3 of the bill amends section 99 of the alcoholic beverage law,
renumbering paragraphs and to provide to provide that persons with
on-premises licenses can apply for special permits up to 12 Sundays per
year to serve alcohol between 8 AM and noon, subject to any local
restrictions, and any rules that may be promulgated by the Liquor
Authority.
Section 4 provides that the act shall take effect thirty days after it
shall have become law.
JUSTIFICATION:
The legislation seeks to provide a modest change in the current law to
allow the state's citizens to take part in many of the weekend tradi-
tions whether spurred forth by food, sports or holidays that allow fami-
lies and friends to find respite from their work and enjoy each other's
company. According to Google, New Yorkers have the highest interest in
brunch of any state in the union, however, New York's ABC's laws which
date back to prohibition have not kept pace. Also, according to Google,
Sunday is the number one brunch day of any week.
Sundays are for brunch
Average Google search interest in "brunch" by day of week, 2014
50
40
30
20
10
0
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
WASHINGTONPOST.COM/WONKBLOG Source: Google Trends
In particular, with popular holidays such as Mother's Day and Father's
Day together with days for special events such as graduations the hospi-
tality industry is challenged to provide seating for families seeking
reservations in the current time of service.
Finally, in a world which is not limited by geography, many sporting
events such as NFL Football, World Cup Soccer, Tennis and Olympic games,
changes are needed to accommodate time differentials for the hospitality
industry to provide full dining and beverage service. Allowing earlier
service would also encourage patrons of professional football stadiums
to enter the stadium earlier, thus reducing problems sometimes associ-
ated with extended tailgate parties and allow beverages to be sold
consistent with standards in law.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
If this economic development proposal were enacted, there would be an
increase in sales tax revenue to state and local governments.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect thirty days after it shall have become law.
