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Draft would let cities issue restaurant liquor licenses regardless of population if 60% of revenue is food; committee introduces RS32514
Summary
Sen. Tammy Nichols presented RS32514 to create a new city restaurant liquor license that cities could issue without population caps if at least 60% of revenue is from food sales; committee voted to introduce the RS.
Sen. Tammy Nichols (R‑LD10) presented RS32514, a draft to create a new type of city restaurant liquor license that would allow cities to issue licenses regardless of population caps so long as the restaurant demonstrates at least 60% of revenue from food sales.
Nichols said the draft is intended to give cities greater local control over liquor licensing for dining establishments and to encourage restaurants and food halls to operate primarily as dining venues rather than bars. The RS would allow food halls to qualify under the same revenue requirement, set ordering priorities for license applicants (those applying prior to 07/01/2025 would be first in line), and require at least three city licenses based on population. Licenses would be nontransferable and fees would align with existing Idaho Code section 23‑904, the sponsor said.
Senators voiced brief questions about how the draft aligns with the constitutional duty to promote temperance; Nichols said the bill preserves local control and is meant to ensure dining remains the primary activity. A motion to introduce RS32514 carried.
