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Senate committee introduces bill to license "established caterers" for event liquor sales
Summary
Senator Brandon Shippy introduced RS 32996 to create a licensing category for "established caterers" (defined in the draft as businesses that cater at least 50 events a year) so they can obtain liquor authorization to sell at events even if they lack a brick‑and‑mortar premises. The motion to send the RS to print carried unanimously.
Senator Brandon Shippy introduced a draft legislative solution to let high‑volume catering businesses obtain liquor authorization to serve alcohol at events without a traditional on‑site liquor license.
"What this legislation does is it essentially creates a new licensing procedure for established caterers," Shippy told the Senate State Affairs committee. He read language from the draft that defines an "established caterer" as "a catering business whose business address is located at a publicly accessible premise and that caters no fewer than 50 events per year." The draft would let local licensing agencies and the Idaho State Police ABC consider a limited carve‑out to permit alcohol sales at catered events rather than at a fixed retail premise.
Senator Harris moved to introduce RS 32996 and send the draft to print; a second was recorded and the motion carried by voice vote.
Shippy said the proposal intends to recognize businesses that operate primarily at off‑site events and to allow them to serve alcohol only at those events, not to obtain a permanent retail outlet for on‑site alcohol sales. The committee did not take further action on the measure during the meeting; the RS will be printed and subject to subsequent committee scheduling and hearings.
