BILL NUMBER: S5027
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to credit days to retail on-premises licensees that were unable
to operate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and providing for the
repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
To allow a credit to be applied on the renewal of a restaurant or bar's
liquor license relative to the duration of time they were forced to
cease on-premises sales as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 establishes that the licensing fee will be reduced in propor-
tion to the number of days that the license holder was unable to sell
alcohol on premises.
Section 2 marks the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Despite an Executive Order allowing restaurants and bars to sell alcohol
with takeout orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor's closure
of these establishments prevented them from operating under the terms
that were established between them and the state when they paid for
their liquor license. This loss of business, due to the government's
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitates that New York, in
particular the State Liquor Authority (SLA), should provide a credit to
these small business owners on their next liquor license.
This bill provides the SLA with the necessary statutory authority to
provide a credit on liquor license renewals for bars and restaurants
that is in direct proportion to the amount of time for which they were
shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24-S.1441 - Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business
Committee
2021-22-S.3877a-Commerce, Economic Development, and Small
Business/A.1235a-Ways and Means Committee.
2020 - S. 8452a - Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business/A.
10563a - Passed Assembly.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed January 1, 2026.