LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) applauded Michigan’s elected leaders for their passage of three key priorities in the area of state liquor control policy.
The Michigan Senate first passed a bill that would allow for Sunday morning alcohol sales by permit, allow restaurants and bars to offer free samples of beer, wine and spirits to patrons, and allow alcohol sales until midnight on Christmas Eve and after 12:00 noon on Christmas Day. The Michigan House followed suit and agreed with the Senate bill and sent it on to the desk of the governor who signed it into law today.
“We would like to thank Michigan’s elected leaders for their strong, bi-partisan action to pass this important legislation,” said Rob Gifford, president and chief executive officer of the MRA. “Thanks to their efforts, these common sense provisions are now law.”
Sunday morning alcohol sales
The MRA successfully fought for the passage of Sunday morning alcohol sales. Liquor licensees can apply for a Sunday morning permit from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and pay a fee of $160. This permit will allow them to sell alcohol starting at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Beer, wine and spirits sampling
The MRA successfully fought for the passage of language allowing on-premises liquor licensees to offer free samples of beer, wine and spirits to patrons. Each patron can be offered no more than two samples of beer, wine or spirits per day, in any combination. The free beer sample must not exceed three ounces, the free wine sample must not exceed two ounces, and the free spirits sample must not exceed a half ounce.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day alcohol sales
Current law requires the cessation of sales of alcohol at 9:00 p.m. on December 24 and does not allow sales to resume until December 26. With the new change in the law that the MRA fought for, sales do not have to stop on December 24. Sales may not continue past midnight but may resume again at 12:00 noon on December 25.
For the last several months, the MRA has led the way to pass Sunday morning alcohol sales and spirits catering provisions into law. The governor vetoed that bill but the MRA regrouped and continued working with other Michigan alcohol industry organizations and came back to the Legislature with the Sunday sales and sampling provisions. The MRA will ask the Legislature to consider the spirits catering provision again in the next session, as well as other, more significant, changes.
“These key changes are now law, but this state has much more work to do,” said Gifford. “Michigan’s laws and regulations in the area of liquor control are in serious need of changes in order to produce a healthier economic environment. In a state where tourism and hospitality are so important to our economy, our next governor and the incoming state Legislature need to make some badly needed reforms. We’re pleased that Governor-elect Rick Snyder recognizes this already.”
Concluded Gifford: “We’re thankful for these changes, and we’re prepared to lead the way for more changes.”
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The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan’s hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan’s economy, employing more than 423,000 people and creating nearly $10 billion in annual sales.
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