House Passes Bill To Make Dozens Of Alcohol Law Changes

The House easily approved legislation Thursday that would make dozens of alterations to the state’s alcohol industry.

Current law limits how many liquor stores and restaurants can sell alcohol in a community. Rep. Ben Smaltz’s (R-Auburn) bill would allow communities to increase those quotas through a public referendum.

The measure also imposes new requirements on grocery store clerks who ring up alcohol.

“That clerk will now have an alcohol permit and will receive [Alcohol and Tobacco Commission] training,” Smaltz says.

The bill originally required those clerks to be 21-years-old, but lawmakers pulled back from that. They also deleted a provision that would have required grocery stores to keep all their alcohol in one area – something Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola) wanted.

“Allowing families with young children or recovering alcoholics to avoid that area of the store or at least not be confronted with alcohol at every corner,” Wesco says.

The bill moves on to the Senate.