Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that legislation he sponsored to extend a 2012 law granting the State Liquor Authority (SLA) chairman exclusive executive authority over the department has been signed into law (A.7435).

 “The State Liquor Authority plays a critical role in our communities by regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages and issuing licenses and permits,” Jones said. “Local businesses that rely on selling alcohol as their sole source of revenue shouldn’t have to be caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic politics and unnecessary red tape. This legislation will help streamline the administrative decisions of the SLA as well as ensure that it’s fully staffed and can effectively support families and local businesses.”

Prior to 2012, the three-member SLA was required to act as a full board to make administrative, such as hiring members and making fiscal decisions. This allowed the chairman’s decision to be undermined, which could lead to vacancies in the SLA and additional inaction. Jones’ legislation extends the exclusive executive authority of the SLA chair for an additional three years, which includes the power to hire and fire employees, make budget and fiscal decisions, prepare required reports and develop the minimum criteria for the Alcohol Training and Awareness Program (Ch. 124 of 2021). While the law delegates exclusive control of administrative functions to the chair, it maintains the powers of the three-member authority to regulate alcoholic beverage sales in New York State, including approving, denying or suspending license and permit applications.