2011 Senate Bill 502 / Public Act 249

Give liquor licenses to public university and colleges’ commercial meeting facilities

Introduced in the Senate

June 21, 2011

Introduced by Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19)

To authorize liquor licenses for commercial conference and meeting facilities operated by any Michigan community college or state university. Current law authorizes liquor licenses for universities or colleges named in the statute.

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Aug. 24, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 7, 2011

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that limits colleges and universities to only serving alcohol at activities that "further the college's or university's community or academic mission," and not "public and private gatherings or meetings that do not have a direct correlation" to the academic mission.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Sept. 21, 2011

Substitute offered by Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To authorize liquor licenses for commercial facilities operated by any Michigan community college or state university, but only for alcohol served at activities that "further the college's or university's community or academic mission," and not "public and private gatherings or meetings that do not have a direct correlation" to the school's academic mission. This refers to commercial meeting facilities that some schools have created which compete with private sector facilities.

Received in the House

Sept. 21, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

Oct. 12, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Oct. 26, 2011

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Barb Byrum (D-67)

To strip out a provision banning a college or university hospitality service with a liquor license from having a catering license.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Oct. 27, 2011

Passed in the House 105 to 3 (details)

To authorize liquor licenses for commercial facilities operated by any Michigan community college or state university, but only for alcohol served at activities that "further the college's or university's community or academic mission," and not "public and private gatherings or meetings that do not have a direct correlation" to the school's academic mission. This refers to commercial meeting facilities that some schools have created which compete with private sector facilities.

Received in the Senate

Nov. 1, 2011

Nov. 8, 2011

Amendment offered by Sen. Mike Nofs (R-19)

To strip out a provision that prohibits a college or university from operating a liquor-serving operation that unfairly competes with private sector businesses.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, except without a provision that prohibits a college or university from operating a liquor-serving operation that unfairly competes with private sector businesses.

Received in the House

Nov. 8, 2011

Nov. 10, 2011

Passed in the House 79 to 28 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill, which stripped-out a provision that prohibits a college or university from operating a liquor-serving operation that unfairly competes with private sector businesses.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 8, 2011