LIQUOR LICENSE FOR SOCCER GAME S.B. 862:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 862 (as introduced 3-11-14)
Sponsor: Senator Tonya Schuitmaker
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow a tavern or Class C license to be issued at an outdoor stadium customarily used for intercollegiate athletic events, for a limited time and in conjunction with a professional international soccer match.
Subject to a number of exceptions, the code prohibits the Liquor Control Commission (LCC) from issuing a license that would allow the sale of liquor on State land, which includes university property. Under certain circumstances, the LCC may issue either a tavern or a Class C license that may be used only for regularly scheduled events at a public university's established outdoor program or festival at a facility on the campus of a public university with an enrollment of at least 10,000 students. (A "tavern" license allows the sale of beer and wine at retail for consumption on the premises. A "Class C" licensee may sell beer, wine, mixed spirit drink, and spirits at retail for consumption on the premises.)
A license allowed under that provision generally may not be issued at an outdoor stadium customarily used for intercollegiate athletic events. The Code does allow the LCC to issue a license, however, at such a stadium for not more than 30 consecutive days to a concessionaire of an entity granted exclusive use of a public university's property in conjunction with a sanctioned professional hockey game.
The bill also would allow the LCC to issue such a license to a concessionaire of an entity granted exclusive use of a public university's property in conjunction with a professional international soccer match between two international soccer clubs as part of a tournament sanctioned by a not-for-profit association that is the governing body for soccer in the United States and organized and promoted by a match agent that is licensed by the international governing body for soccer.
The bill would allow the concessionaire to share the profits generated from the license with a licensed match agent and a promoter that organized and promoted international soccer matches under a written contract reviewed by the LCC. In addition, for a nationally televised game between two professional international soccer clubs, the LCC could allow the promotion and advertising of alcohol brands on the campus of a public university where a concessionaire had been issued a license.
As with the licensing arrangement for a hockey game, a license could be issued under the bill for a soccer game if the concessionaire entered into an agreement granting it control of the licensed premises for the purposes of complying with the Code and rules promulgated under it regarding the sale of alcohol.
MCL 436.1531 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.