House Bill 5234 (sHB5234 File No. 101) proposes a comprehensive set of amendments to the Connecticut general statutes related to the regulation of alcoholic liquor. The bill includes changes to definitions, such as expanding the definition of "alcohol" and introducing "business entity," and clarifies the terms "alcoholic beverage" and "alcoholic liquor." It also redefines "person" to exclude business entities and adjusts the definition of "proprietor." The bill allows franchisors or landlords to profit from the sale of alcoholic liquor by a franchisee or tenant without being approved as a backer, under certain conditions. It updates language for inclusivity, revises the renewal process for package store permits to prevent placeholding, and amends the wholesaler permit section to allow sales to hospitals, charitable institutions, and religious organizations for medicinal and sacramental purposes.

The bill also modifies the process for terminating or reducing a wholesaler's distributorship, clarifies the Department of Consumer Protection's (DCP) authority in emergencies, and updates transportation permit requirements. It revises the definition of "catering establishment," outlines the application process for temporary liquor permits for noncommercial entities, and sets application fees. Furthermore, the bill specifies public notice requirements for permit applications, revises conditions for DCP enforcement actions, and clarifies permit holding regulations. It also addresses the management of access to permit premises, the revocation and suspension of permits, and the establishment of consumer service bars.

House Bill 5234 (sHB5234 File No. 101) continues with amendments that allow the DCP to authorize multiple consumer service bars within a single premises, define the process for confiscating alcoholic beverages intended for illegal sale, and outline the embargo and confiscation procedures during inspections. It also defines terms related to transaction scans, restricts the use of transaction scan devices, and provides an affirmative defense for permittees in prosecutions for selling alcohol to minors. The bill indemnifies minors participating in DCP investigations, updates the age verification process for alcohol purchases, and allows electronic forms for age statements. Additionally, it prohibits permittees from allowing intoxicated individuals to loiter on premises and includes a fiscal note indicating potential revenue gains from fines and fees. The bill grants the DCP authority to refuse incomplete package store applications, investigate applicants and premises, and regulate consumer service bars, among other provisions.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 30-4, 30-14a, 30-51a, 30-51, 30-55, 30-58a, 30-60, 30-62a, 30-78, 30-86, 30-90
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 30-4, 30-14a, 30-51a, 30-51, 30-55, 30-58a, 30-60, 30-62a, 30-78, 30-86, 30-90
File No. 101: 30-4, 30-14a, 30-51a, 30-51, 30-55, 30-58a, 30-60, 30-62a, 30-78, 30-86, 30-90