HB 2097 Summary

• Allows issuance of public liquor by the drink permits in any area where spirituous liquor sales are already allowed, without requiring a separate referendum election.

• Modifies Sunday sales regulations to permit off-premises alcohol sales between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on Sundays in areas where alcohol sales are authorized, subject to voter approval through referendum.

• Establishes referendum procedures requiring petition signatures from 15% of qualified electors who voted in the last gubernatorial election, with elections held within 90 days and results certified within 10 days.

• Repeals sections 3-9-206 and 3-9-207 regarding previous referendum election procedures and consolidates referendum election provisions into section 3-3-210.

• Maintains restrictions that off-premises Sunday sales are limited to businesses with valid alcoholic beverage licenses and that adverse referendum votes prevent re-election on the same issue for one year.