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Committee rejects bill giving cities option to create public entertainment districts for open-container rules
Summary
Senate Bill 492, which would let cities set up entertainment districts where patrons could carry alcoholic beverages under local ordinances, failed in committee after testimony warned of underage drinking risks and enforcement challenges; roll call was tied and the bill failed.
Senate Bill 492 would permit cities, by local ordinance, to create designated entertainment districts where patrons could carry alcoholic beverages outside licensed establishments during specified events or within zoned commercial areas. Sponsor Senator Garner said the bill merely gives local governments the option to adopt rules and emphasized that ABC regulations and local ordinances would still apply.
Supporters cited downtown revitalization and festival use (murals, amphitheaters, music fests) as reasons cities would want the tool. Opponents, including Larry Page of the Arkansas Faith and Ethics Council, argued the proposal lacks sufficient standards and enforcement provisions and would make underage drinking and public intoxication harder to prevent: "There will not be that level of scrutiny in entertainment district. It will be impossible," Page testified.
The committee debated enforcement, child-safety concerns and ABC oversight. After a motion and roll call, the committee recorded a 3–3 tie with one member not voting; the chair announced the bill failed and it did not advance from committee.
