2020 Senate Bill 942 / Public Act 126

Allow bars and restaurant to serve alcohol in ‘commons area’

Introduced in the Senate

May 28, 2020

Introduced by Sen. Aric Nesbitt (R-26)

To allow “on-premises licensees” (restaurants with liquor licenses and bars that serve food) to serve alcohol in a "commons area" within a “social district” designated by a local government “that is shared by and abuts the premises of at least two other on-premises licensees,” and allow local governments to authorize this. The bill would also authorize discounts on liquor licensee purchases of spirits from the state through 2021, and make other detail changes to this extensive regulatory regime.

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

June 9, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 10, 2020

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To allow “on-premises licensees” (restaurants with liquor licenses and bars that serve food) to serve alcohol in a "commons area" within a “social district” designated by a local government “that is shared by and abuts the premises of at least two other on-premises licensees,” and allow local governments to authorize this. The bill would also allow refunds to bars and restaurants for beer and wine that went stale during the coronavirus epidemic lockdown; authorize discounts on liquor licensee purchases of spirits by bars and restaurants from the state through 2021; permit more "tasting room" options for certain distillers and more.

Received in the House

June 10, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

June 17, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

June 24, 2020

Substitute offered by Rep. Brandt Iden (R-61)

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 107 to 1 (details)

To allow refunds to bars and restaurants for beer and wine that went stale during the coronavirus epidemic lockdown; authorize discounts on liquor licensee purchases of spirits by bars and restaurants from the state through 2021; permit more "tasting room" options for certain distillers; repeal a ban on "two for one" drink specials, and more. The "social district" provisions in the Senate-passed version remain in House Bill 5781, which must pass for this bill to become law.

Received in the Senate

June 25, 2020

Passed in the Senate 36 to 1 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

July 1, 2020