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Lawmakers hear arguments for and against study of liquor commission privatization
Summary
Representative Peter Leishman proposed forming a commission to study whether the New Hampshire Liquor Commission should be privatized or restructured; the Liquor Commission, industry groups and former privatization operators urged caution and highlighted revenue, safety and employment implications.
The House Commerce and Consumer Affairs Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 79, a measure to create a study commission to evaluate whether New Hampshire should privatize or otherwise restructure its Liquor Commission.
Sponsor Rep. Peter Leishman said the commission would not preordain privatization but would examine whether state ownership is the most effective model, noting rising Liquor Commission expenses and a multi‑year revenue decline. “There’s been significant growth in expenses, but not a corresponding increase in revenue,” Leishman told the committee.
Liquor Commission Chairman Joe Mollica testified at length against privatization and in favor of the current control model. Mollica presented national data showing a recent…
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