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House orders third reading for bill to make 'to-go' cocktail sales permanent
Summary
The Vermont House ordered a third reading of H.3 39, a bill to remove the sunset on authorization for off-premise sale of prepared alcoholic beverages introduced in 2021; the committee reported no significant public-safety issues and voted 10-0-1 to advance the bill.
The Vermont House on Thursday ordered a third reading of H.3 39, a bill to remove the sunset provision on statutory authorization allowing certain licensees to sell prepared alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption.
Representative Boyden, the member from Cambridge and the sponsor for the Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee, told the House the bill would “remove the sunset on the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption” that was added under 2021’s Act 70. He said the Department of Liquor and Lottery’s Office of Compliance and Enforcement conducted routine inspections and compliance checks and “their findings indicate there have been no significant public safety or compliance issues.”
The committee report, delivered by Representative Boyden, said section 1 of H.3 39 strikes the repeal of 7 V.S.A. §230 and section 2 sets the effective date as on passage. The committee heard testimony from legislative counsel, the commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery, and the president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. The committee reported the bill out on a 10-0-1 vote.
“The committee on government operations and military affairs respectfully request your support to sunset the sunset on to-go cocktails,” Representative Boyden said on the floor.
When the House called the question on whether the bill should be read a third time, members answered by voice vote; the presiding officer said the ayes had it and ordered third reading. That action does not itself record final passage; it schedules the bill for third reading in the legislative process.
No amendments or further floor debate were recorded during the committee report. The bill’s text as discussed indicates the effective date will be on passage; further floor action will determine final enactment and any appropriation implications.
Members adjourned after completing orders of the day; scheduling for subsequent floor action was not specified on the record for this bill.
