BILL NUMBER: S9579
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
requiring retail licensees for on-premises alcohol consumption provide
tap water upon request
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation will require retail licensees for on-premises alcohol
consumption to provide potable tap water to patrons at no cost.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Amends the alcoholic beverage control law by requiring retail
licensees for on-premises alcohol consumption to provide tap water to a
patron upon request at no cost to such patron.
Section 2. Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Dehydration caused by alcohol use, physical activity, and high temper-
atures is a known health issue, yet many alcohol-serving venues, partic-
ularly music venues, only provide water to patrons through purchased,
often expensive, bottled water. Concertgoers frequently share tips in
internet forums on how to avoid dehydration without purchasing water,
including drinking from restroom water sources. Regardless, many of
those who attend these events do not consume any non-alcoholic drink and
suffer from dehydration ranging from mild discomfort to more serious
conditions requiring hospitalization. Similar requirements to provide
drinking water in venues that serve alcohol exist in the states of
Connecticut, Minnesota, Utah, the cities of San Francisco, California;
Chicago, Illinois; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and nationally in
Australia.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
30 days

Statutes affected:
S9579: 106 alcoholic beverage control law