HB1318
To Amend The Excursion Train Permit To Include Excursion Boats.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to amend Arkansas law concerning alcoholic beverages, specifically by expanding the existing "excursion train permit" to include "excursion boats." The legislation defines what constitutes an "excursion boat" and clarifies that operators of these boats can apply for a permit to sell and serve alcoholic beverages. If granted, the permit would allow the sale and on-premises consumption of alcohol to ticketed passengers or individuals at chartered events. Operators would also be permitted to store alcohol at separate facilities. A new annual permit fee of two hundred dollars ($200) would be established for both excursion train and excursion boat permits. Permit holders would be required to post a copy of their permit on the vessel or train where alcohol is served. A key provision stipulates that alcoholic beverages can only be sold and served when the excursion boat or train is located within a territory that has already authorized the sale of alcoholic beverages. The Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be operators of excursion boats in Arkansas, who would gain the legal authority to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to their passengers. This could potentially increase revenue and appeal for their services. Additionally, the public who patronize these excursion boats and are of legal drinking age would benefit from the availability of alcoholic beverages during their excursions. The state government, through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, would benefit from the administration and enforcement of new permits and the collection of associated permit fees.
Who Might Suffer?
There are no groups or entities explicitly identified in the bill text as being directly negatively impacted. However, it is possible that businesses that currently hold exclusive alcohol sales permits in areas where excursion boats might operate could face increased competition. Additionally, local communities or jurisdictions that have chosen to prohibit alcohol sales might be indirectly impacted if an excursion boat operates within their territorial waters and serves alcohol, depending on the interpretation and enforcement of the provision requiring authorization from the territory.