Committee advances bills to limit liquor-license lookback period, adopts substitute for retailer discount bill

Representative (sponsor of HB4114) told the House Regulatory Reform Committee the bill would constrain the Liquor Control Commission's review of past violations to the prior two years, except where the older violation resulted in a license revocation. "The bill allows the Liquor Control Commission to focus on recent and relevant violations those occurring within the past 2 years when making licensing decisions," the sponsor said, adding the goal is to "ensure small business owners aren't permanently penalized for old minor infractions once they've demonstrated good conduct."

The nut graf: supporters said the two-year look-back and a separate measure to adjust the retailer discount (the wholesale-to-retailer spread) aim to help small, independent liquor retailers that face thin margins and increasing operating costs. Martin Manna, introduced as president and CEO of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, told the committee his members operate roughly 5,000…