This bill authorizes the liquor commission to open certain state liquor stores on Sundays or legal holidays. It amends RSA 177:5 to allow the commission to open state liquor stores on Sundays or legal holidays, except for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Full-time employees have the option to work on these days but cannot be required to do so. Part-time employees may be hired to staff the stores on Sundays or holidays. Full-time employees who work on these days will be paid 1-1/2 times their regular rate of pay for the hours worked. The bill will take effect 60 days after its passage.

The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable. Opening stores on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas may result in additional sales revenue, but it is unknown if the increase in sales will offset the additional costs of staffing the stores on these holidays. The Commission estimates that the average cost of opening a store on a Sunday is $53,010, including additional payroll costs. The Commission cannot determine if opening certain stores on legal holidays will generate enough additional revenue to cover the increased costs. Any fiscal impact is expected to occur after FY 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 177:5