House Bill No. 5425, also known as Public Act No. 25-40, amends the regulations surrounding cafe permits for the sale of alcoholic liquor. The bill repeals subsection (a) of section 30-22a and introduces new provisions effective July 1, 2025. Under the new law, cafe permit holders must keep food available for sale during most of their operating hours, but they can comply with this requirement by allowing food from nearby vendors. The bill clarifies that there is no obligation to sell food with alcoholic beverages, nor will there be any enforced standards regarding the proportion of food and liquor sales. Additionally, the bill permits the serving of alcoholic liquor in outside areas with certain conditions, including the option to forgo fencing if not mandated by local regulations.

Significantly, the bill introduces a tiered fee structure for cafe permits, reducing the annual fee for prior holders of tavern permits and establishing a new fee of two hundred dollars for railways. This change aims to facilitate the sale of alcoholic beverages in railway settings, thereby expanding the scope of cafe permits. Overall, the bill seeks to modernize and streamline the regulations governing the sale of alcoholic liquor in cafes and railways while ensuring compliance with health and safety standards.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 30-1, 30-12, 30-38, 30-45, 30-53, 30-54
GL Joint Favorable: 30-1, 30-12, 30-38, 30-45, 30-53, 30-54
File No. 300: 30-1, 30-12, 30-38, 30-45, 30-53, 30-54