Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
UNIVERSITY LIQUOR LICENSES http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
Senate Bill 789 (S-1) as reported from House committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Sen. Jeff Irwin http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Committee: Regulatory Reform
Senate Committee: Regulatory Affairs
Complete to 6-12-24
(Enacted as Public Act 115 of 2024)
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 789 would amend the Liquor Control Code to modify different provisions
related to the issuance of liquor licenses in connection with university property.
Eastern Michigan University License
The bill would allow the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) to issue a license
to a private entity for the sale of alcoholic liquor on the licensed premises of a restaurant
on land owned by Eastern Michigan University if all of the following apply:
• The land is leased or subleased at fair market value to a private entity that owns,
leases, or subleases the licensed premises for the operation of a restaurant.
• The restaurant is located in an area designated for industrial, research, or
commercial development by the governing board of the university.
• The license was originally acquired on the open market at fair market value.
Conference Center Licensing
The act now allows the MLCC to issue a license to a college or university’s governing
board for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises of a conference
center at regularly scheduled conference center activities.
The bill would update which buildings are included in the act’s definition of conference
center as follows:
• For Eastern Michigan University, the bill would add the student center to the list of
included buildings and update the reference to the convocation center to its current
name (the George Gervin GameAbove Center). 1
• For Ferris State University, the bill would replace the Conference Center at Big
Rapids and the Applied Technology Center at Grand Rapids with the Woodbridge
N. Ferris Building at Grand Rapids and the David L. Eisler Center at Big Rapids,
respectively. The bill would also remove the FSU GR Conference Center of Grand
Rapids Junior College from the list of included buildings.
MCL 436.1513
1
https://emueagles.com/facilities/gervin-gameabove-center/1
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
According to committee testimony, the bill would allow for a liquor license for an offsite
restaurant project being developed by Eastern Michigan University. In addition, the bill
adds a license for the university’s student center because of the number of events hosted
by the venue.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Senate Bill 789 would not have a fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs, since the bill has a highly limited scope.
POSITIONS:
Representatives of the following entities indicated support for the bill:
• Eastern Michigan University (5-21-24)
• Toney Group (5-21-24)
• Ferris State University (6-11-24)
The Liquor Control Commission indicated a neutral position on the bill. (5-21-24)
Legislative Analyst: Alex Stegbauer
Fiscal Analyst: Marcus Coffin
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency SB 789 (S-1) as reported Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-1): 436.1513
Senate Introduced Bill: 436.1513
As Passed by the Senate: 436.1513
As Passed by the House: 436.1513
Public Act: 436.1513
Senate Enrolled Bill: 436.1513