The Michigan House and Senate passed House Bill 6224 on November 9, 2010, which will permit the sale of alcohol beverages on Sunday mornings by on-premise and off-premise licensees that obtain a Sunday Morning Sales Permit. This amended Bill was part of an earlier, more comprehensive bill that was vetoed by the Governor last month. The Bill has been sent to the Governor for signature, and it is our understanding that the Governor will sign the Bill as presented.  The application procedures for obtaining the new Permit have to be established by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, and the role of municipalities in the application process, which have the option of prohibiting Sunday morning sales, must also be established after the Bill is enacted.

The Bill also contains a provision which permits on-premise licensees to offer free samples of beer, wine and spirits for their patrons within the sample limits defined in the Bill.  This is another provision that was part of the earlier bill that was vetoed last month.  The passage of this Bill is welcomed by the entire hospitality industry, and it is the result of the persistent efforts of the Michigan Restaurant Association, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association and many other industry leaders.

The catering permit provisions contained in the earlier vetoed bill will be submitted to the new legislature in 2011 for reconsideration.  We will keep you updated with the status of these changes in the law, and will certainly provide specific information on what licensees must do to take advantage of these new provisions of the Michigan Liquor Control Code.

Should you have any questions regarding this Bill please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Carlin, Edwards, Brown & Howe, PLLC

John B. Carlin, Jr. (248) 816-3210

Scott D. Edwards (248) 816-3205

Michael J. Brown (517) 321-4616

J. Patrick Howe (248) 816-3175