House committee hears bills to raise retailer margins and limit licensing lookback to two years

The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee on an unspecified May meeting date heard testimony on a package of liquor-industry bills that supporters said would help small, neighborhood liquor retailers competing with large chains.

Representative Goon, sponsor of House Bill 4,114, told the committee the bill "allows the Liquor Control Commission to focus on recent and relevant violations — those occurring within the past two years when making licensing decisions. Violations older than two years would no longer be considered unless they resulted in a license revocation." He said the change would give "licensees a clear path forward after two years of compliance while still allowing the Commission to hold serious offenders accountable." Representative Goon said the change is intended to reduce administrative burden for the Commission, which oversees nearly 20,000 licensees statewide.

Martin Manna, identified himself as president and CEO of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the package…