The bill amends existing laws regarding the issuance of retail liquor permits in Arkansas. It modifies the current prohibition on issuing a retail liquor permit to individuals or entities with interests in other permits. Specifically, it removes the blanket prohibition and allows for exceptions, stating that a retail liquor permit shall not be issued to those with interests in other permits, except as outlined in the new subsection (e).

Under the new provisions, individuals, firms, or corporations that already hold one retail liquor permit may obtain up to two additional permits, provided they do not hold more than one permit in the same county. Furthermore, the additional permits can only be issued in counties with a population of 200,000 or more, according to the most recent census. This change aims to expand opportunities for existing permit holders while maintaining certain restrictions based on geographic population criteria.

Statutes affected:
SB 97: 3-4-205(b), 3-4-205