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House approves pilot to let some state liquor stores open on select holidays
Summary
The Utah House passed House Bill 283 on Feb. 27, 2012, authorizing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (DABC) to run a limited pilot allowing selected state liquor stores to open on specified retail holidays; the measure passed 42-30 and will go to the Senate.
Representative Arendt introduced House Bill 283 as a limited pilot program to give the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control discretion to open a small number of state liquor stores on certain retail holidays, arguing it would increase convenience for consumers and tourists.
The bill, debated on the House floor Feb. 27, would allow DABC to select which stores to open for limited periods on holidays such as Presidents Day and Columbus Day while excluding major dates such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. Arendt said the program is strictly limited by the fiscal note and that DABC would provide two reports to the Legislature about how the pilot is working. "This bill is to create a pilot program for a limited period of time to give DABC the authority to open some liquor stores on certain holidays," Arendt told members during floor remarks.
Supporters cast the measure as a modest market-oriented reform. Representative Frank said he supported the concept as a step toward letting "market forces" shape the state-run retail program and called the pilot a reasonable way to study change. Arendt cited polling data she described from local outlets showing strong support for a pilot in several readership groups.
Opponents raised public-safety and funding concerns. Representative Noel asked whether the program would simply increase access and drive more alcohol-related harms and urged that if new revenues were significant the House consider directing them to county drug- and alcohol-treatment programs. Noel said he would vote against the bill, stating concern about greater access and its social impacts. Arendt and other supporters emphasized that many consumers already have alternative access (bars, restaurants, grocery stores) on those days and noted the pilot's limited scope.
The bill also carries a positive fiscal note that Arendt said would yield roughly $175,000 in net revenue after an estimated $35,000 to DABC for additional operating costs; she said some funds must be applied under the current statutory scheme (for example, school lunch program allocations). The bill requires DABC to report back to the Legislature on pilot outcomes.
The House opened and closed voting; House Bill 283 received 42 yes votes and 30 no votes and was transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
