Senate OKs temporary moratorium on Class B/C alcohol permits in one House district

The Senate approved House Bill 10 18, a local measure placing a temporary moratorium on issuing Class B and Class C alcoholic-beverage permits in House District 2, effective Aug. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2027. Senator Jenkins carried the bill and said it targets smaller operators where community complaints indicate the businesses have been operating more like bars than neighborhood retail outlets.

Senator Jenkins explained the measure: "This will impose a temporary pause on issuing class b and class c alcohol permits from 08/01/2026 to 12/31/2027, only in House District 2." Members sought and received clarifications that the moratorium would not apply to the downtown business district or to transfers already completed.

Senators asked about the duration and local planning processes; proponents said the pause was intended to give local authorities and planning bodies time to consider uniform approaches rather than allowing a proliferation of smaller establishments shifting neighborhood character. The Senate recorded final passage with 29 yeas and 0 nays.

The moratorium is time-limited and geographically defined; implementation details and enforcement will rely on local licensing authorities and any rules spelled out in the enacted text.