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Subcommittee debates new tavern license; members seek town-level approval language and higher fees
Summary
Lawmakers heard hours of testimony on a proposed new tavern license that would allow alcohol-only establishments; members discussed making the license available only where towns affirmatively vote to allow taverns, setting higher license fees, and preserving local hearing processes.
A Commerce and Consumer Affairs subcommittee held extended discussion of a proposed tavern license that would allow alcohol-only establishments without a statutory food requirement and would permit municipalities to opt in by local vote.
Deputy Chief Danielle Ellison of New Hampshire Liquor Enforcement told the committee the proposal was not modeled directly on another state and that the 21-and-over age issue arose because some taverns would not offer food and would operate more like nightclubs. “One of the concerns with this is this doesn't limit right now any type of live entertainment or anything like that,” Ellison said, explaining why age restrictions were considered.
Committee members pressed for language tying license issuance to clear local…
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