Bill Text: NH HB1540 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Relative to the definitions of full course meals and full service restaurant for purposes of alcohol licensing.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-07-22 - Signed by Governor Sununu 07/12/2024; Chapter 201; eff. 09/10/2024 [HB1540 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2024-HB1540-Enrolled.html
HB 1540-FN - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES
28Mar2024... 0939h
2024 SESSION
24-2345
05/08
HOUSE BILL 1540-FN
SPONSORS: Rep. J. Sullivan, Graf. 2; Rep. Ammon, Hills. 42; Rep. Wheeler, Hills. 33; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. Read, Rock. 10; Rep. Knab, Rock. 12; Rep. A. Murray, Hills. 20; Rep. Morse, Graf. 9; Rep. Phinney, Straf. 9
COMMITTEE: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
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ANALYSIS
This bill revises the definition of full course meal and full service restaurant for purposes of alcohol licensing.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
28Mar2024... 0939h 24-2345
05/08
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Alcoholic Beverages; Definitions of Full Course Meal and Full Service Restaurant. Amend RSA 175:1, XXXII and XXXIII to read as follows:
XXXII. "Full course meal" means a diversified selection of food [which ordinarily cannot be consumed without the use of tableware and which cannot be conveniently consumed while standing or walking].
XXXIII. "Full service restaurant" means a room or rooms capable of seating, at one or more tables with chairs or at booths, at least 20 guests at one time, unless granted an exception from the liquor commission. [The dining room and kitchen shall be sufficiently staffed. Meals shall be readily available, promoted and served to the table. The menu shall contain a variety of full course meals and a sandwich menu may be substituted at the noon meal.] Meals shall be readily available and served to the table.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
24-2345
Amended 4/3/24
HB 1540-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2024-0939h)
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease) | |||||||
| FY 2024 | FY 2025 | FY 2026 | FY 2027 | |||
Revenue | $0 | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | Indeterminable | |||
Revenue Fund(s) | Liquor Fund
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Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
Funding Source(s) | None
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Appropriations | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||
Funding Source(s) | None
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• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] N/A • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] No
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METHODOLOGY:
The Liquor Commission indicates this bill would amend the requirements for an applicant to acquire and retain a “full service restaurant” license to sell beer, wine and liquor by changing the definitions of full course meal and full service restaurant in RSA 175:1. The Commission provided the following information and assumptions concerning the fiscal impact of the bill:
- Due to the change in eligibility requirements the Commission anticipates the number of requests to waive the 20 guest size requirement will increase significantly.
- With the reduced requirements the Commission expects restaurant licensees servicing beer and wine will seek a waiver and apply for a full service restaurant license.
- The bill would result in an indeterminable number of licensees who will pay the additional fees required to change from a license that cost $480 per year to a license that costs $840 per year.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Liquor Commission
