Substitute House Bill No. 6548 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that amends various aspects of alcoholic liquor regulation in the state. The bill redefines and renumbers terms within Section 30-1 of the general statutes, such as deleting the definition of "charitable organization" and introducing "noncommercial entity," which includes academic institutions, charitable organizations, government organizations, nonprofit organizations, or similar entities not primarily focused on commercial gain. It also introduces the concept of "alternating proprietorship agreement" for shared manufacturing premises, outlines conditions for contract manufacturing agreements, and creates a new temporary auction permit for the sale of beer, spirits, and wine through auctions. The bill exempts temporary auction permits from certain provisions and allows for direct delivery and shipment of auctioned alcoholic beverages to consumers, with specific labeling and age verification requirements. Additionally, it introduces an outdoor open-air permit for the retail sale of alcoholic liquor in outdoor spaces under certain conditions.

The bill also expands the enforcement powers of the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), allowing it to prevent violations, inspect premises, and protect the public against fraud or overcharge. It permits the sale of alcoholic beverages at a price below cost in certain circumstances and mandates the DCP to ensure the cleanliness of beer and wine pipelines. The bill revises the application process for liquor permits, including the requirement for a detailed description of live entertainment, and modifies the fee structure for various permits. It also addresses the concurrent holding of different classes of permits, the prohibition of certain relationships between manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, and the lawful hours for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Lastly, the bill includes provisions for the inspection of premises by fire marshals and requires a study on the impact of requiring liquor liability insurance for liquor permit seekers.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 30-1, 30-35, 30-39, 30-48, 30-55, 30-76a, 30-114
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 30-1, 30-35, 30-39, 30-48, 30-76a, 30-114
File No. 118: 30-1, 30-35, 30-39, 30-48, 30-76a, 30-114
File No. 780: 30-1, 30-6a, 30-16, 30-22e, 30-35, 30-37o, 30-39, 30-48, 30-76a, 30-114, 30-115, 29-305
Public Act No. 23-50: 30-1, 30-6a, 30-16, 30-22e, 30-35, 30-37o, 30-39, 30-48, 30-76a, 30-114, 30-115, 29-305