Committee hears SB669 to allow one complimentary drink at barbershops and salons; liquor commission raises fee and reporting questions

The Committee on Commerce heard testimony on Senate Bill 669, which would permit licensed barbershops, salons and spas to offer one complimentary alcoholic beverage per adult client during an appointment under liquor commission oversight.

Senator Rebecca Perkins Quocca introduced the bill as a response to small-business concerns following last year’s SB87. The sponsor and a small-business owner, Nathan Riggs of Scuttlebutt Barbershop, said the measure would formalize common practice while including safeguards: mandatory ID checks, responsible-service training (management training seminar), no promotions or happy hours, and limits to one drink per client. Riggs said the permit would help small businesses modestly increase revenue without targeting restaurant/bar sales.

Liquor Commission witnesses described the bill’s background and enforcement approach, noted inspection practice across licenses and pointed to the management training seminar as the legislative training standard. Commission testimony also stated that the current draft increases the fee from $100 to $480 and introduces reporting requirements the commission believes may duplicate existing reporting. Opponents, including Aubrey Friedman, said the proposed fee jump and added paperwork would burden small businesses and questioned whether there is a demonstrated public-safety problem. Committee members asked whether the bill allows sale vs. giving away alcohol; the commission confirmed the current text requires provision of alcohol for free.

Committee discussion covered inspection frequency, training designations, fee levels and whether the bill would create incentives for mission creep; no committee action was concluded during the hearing and committee members later indicated a complex amendment was needed and signaled intent to hold further consideration.