HB 2266

Abstract

Alcoholic beverage control; local outdoor refreshment areas. Renames the "local special events" license as the "outdoor refreshment area" license. The bill allows the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to increase the frequency and duration of events held under such license after adoption of an ordinance by a locality requesting such increase in frequency and duration. Under current law, localities are limited to holding 16 events per year under such license, with each event lasting no more than three consecutive days, except during the effective dates of any rule, regulation, or order that is issued by the Governor or State Health Commissioner to meet a public health emergency and that effectively reduces allowable restaurant seating capacity. The bill also increases the state and local license fees for outdoor refreshment area licenses issued pursuant to a local ordinance. This bill incorporates HB 2051.

Alcoholic beverage control; local outdoor refreshmentareas. Defines "outdoor refreshment area" and permits the governingbody of any locality in the Commonwealth to designate, by ordinance,up to three outdoor refreshment areas within such locality. The bill provides that such ordinance would permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages within the outdoor refreshment area, provided that suchalcoholic beverages are purchased from a permanent retail on-premiseslicensee located within such designated area and are contained indisposable containers with a maximum capacity of no more than 16fluid ounces that clearly display the selling licensee's name orlogo. The bill requires the locality, prior to adopting such an ordinance,to create a public safety plan for each outdoor refreshment area.