NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A6916B
SPONSOR: Magnarelli
 
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in
relation to the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption at the New
York state fair; and to repeal subdivision 9 of section 76 and subdivi-
sion 3 of section 97 of such law relating thereto
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the bill is to amend the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law
(ABC Law) to facilitate the permitting process for New York State Fair
concessionaires by authorizing the State Liquor Authority to issue a
temporary permit for the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on
the premises of the New York state fairgrounds, to the holders of a
concessionaire's license issued by the Division of the New York State
Fair in the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill adds a new section97-b to the ABC Law.
Section 2 repeals ABC Law section 76(9).
Section 3 repeals ABC Law section 97(3).
Section 4 would provide for an immediate effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Existing provisions of the ABC Law Sections 76(9) and 97(3) allow the
holders of New York State Fair ("Fair") concessionaires' licenses to
sell wine, as well as New York State wine and beer, at the Fair but
require separate permits. Under this proposal, concessionaire permit
holders that already hold on-premises retail licenses from the SLA at
the New York State fairgrounds would no longer need an additional permit
from the SLA to sell their alcoholic beverages to patrons for consump-
tion anywhere on the fairgrounds. The proposal would allow concessio-
naires to sell any type of alcoholic beverage at the Fair upon obtaining
a permit from the SLA. The proposal would also authorize the holders of
an on-premises license issued for a premises located at the Fair, as
well as the holders of manufacturing licenses, to enjoy the privileges
of the State Fair permit without the need to obtain and pay for such
permit.
The Fair gets many questions about ABC Law licensing; and reports that
vendors are often confused about which license to apply for. The
proposal would be very helpful for the Fair as well as its vendors;
since it would streamline and simplify ABC Law permits for use at the
Fair.
The Fair has approximately 30 vendors selling alcohol. The proposal
would not only make it easier for these vendors to obtain the ABC Law
permits they need; it would allow vendors to sell the full range of
alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cider and distilled spirits.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.