This bill amends the existing law regarding the issuance of retail liquor permits in Arkansas. It modifies the current prohibition on issuing a retail liquor permit to individuals or entities that already hold an interest in another permit. Specifically, the bill allows for exceptions under certain conditions, stating that a retail liquor permit shall not be issued to any person, firm, or corporation with an interest in another permit, except as provided in the new subsection (e).

The new subsection (e) permits individuals or entities that already hold one retail liquor permit to acquire 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 decennial census. This change aims to expand the opportunities for existing permit holders while maintaining restrictions based on geographic population criteria.

Statutes affected:
SB 97: 3-4-205(b), 3-4-205
Act 156: 3-4-205(b), 3-4-205