BILL NUMBER: S663
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
removing the requirement of the state liquor authority to have not more
than two members of the authority belong to the same political party
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would remove the prohibition against more than two
members/commissioners of the state liquor authority belonging to the
same political party.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends Section 11 of the alcoholic beverage control law, by
repealing the provision that disallows more than two members of the
authority from belonging to the same political party.
Section 2: Sets effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The State Liquor Authority is currently comprised of three
Members/Commissioners, constituting the "Full Board" that meets to
undertake its statutory responsibilities, such as permitting/licensing
application determinations and disciplinary actions against licensees.
The Chair is the only full-time Member/Commissioner of the SLA and is
responsible for administrative control over the authority while the
other two appointees serve at a per diem capacity. At times, the Full
Board may operate with vacancies upon the departure of a
Member/Commissioner. This bill would ensure that qualified personnel
would be able to fill a vacancy regardless of party affiliation.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate
2023: N/A
2024: Advanced to Third Reading
Assembly
2023: N/A
2024: Referred to Economic Development
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S663: 11 alcoholic beverage control law