S.B. NO. 490 Summary

• Creates a new "Alcohol Impact Area" designation that counties can establish through ordinance to address chronic public inebriation and illegal activity associated with off-premises liquor sales.

• Requires counties to make good faith mitigation efforts for at least six months before a liquor commission or adjudication board can recognize an alcohol impact area, and establishes eight criteria that must be met for recognition including documented evidence of pervasive public intoxication patterns.

• Authorizes liquor commissions or boards to impose restrictions within recognized areas including limited business hours for off-premises sales, restrictions on certain liquor products (beer at 5.7% ABV or higher, wine at 12% ABV or higher), and container size limitations.

• Mandates counties submit annual effectiveness reports to their liquor commission or board and requires a comprehensive assessment every five years, with provisions for affected parties to petition for revocation of the alcohol impact area designation.

• Establishes 60-day comment periods for new off-premises liquor license applications and 90-day periods for license renewals in alcohol impact areas, allowing counties to request extensions for unusual circumstances.