Committee gives due-pass recommendation to bill allowing beer and wine in renovated historic theaters and permitting minors when film ratings allow

Representative Clow presented House Bill 330 to allow movie theaters located in nationally registered historic buildings — even if the building was not originally constructed as a theater — to obtain an alcohol license that permits sale of beer and wine and to allow minors to attend screenings when film ratings permit. Clow said the change targets small, niche theaters that were remodeled from non-theater uses and typically seat 50 to 100 patrons.

Why it matters: Under current licensing rules discussed by the sponsor, some historic sites that now host films cannot sell beer and wine while also admitting minors because the license model assumes the building was originally a theater. Clow said the bill simply removes the requirement that the historic building have been originally built as a theater.

Scope and safeguards: Clow noted that existing film-rating and other laws already restrict minors from X-rated films and that parental accompaniment rules apply for PG-13 content. He described the bill as enabling families to attend films at small historic venues where alcohol sales currently prevent minors from entering with parents.

Committee action: Representative Ojanka moved to send House Bill 330 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; the motion carried. The committee recorded the due-pass motion and advanced the bill to the next stage. No in-person testimony was received during the hearing due to a remote testifier connection issue.