Liquor license bill being reworked

Sharon Fisher//February 19, 2019//

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photo of bar — A bill that would have allowed cities and counties to decide on liquor licenses for restaurants is being held in committee. File photo.

A bill that would have made it easier for establishments that sell food to also sell liquor was held in the Senate State Affairs committee, but the bill’s sponsor hopes it can be changed before the legislative session is over for the year.

“Sen. [Chuck] Winder and I will be working over the next week to look at what, if anything, would work for preserving value in the existing license,” said Sen. Jim Rice, R-Caldwell. “The bill is temporarily being held to allow a discussion.”

According to the Associated Press, some bar owners objected to the bill because they felt it lowered the value of their liquor licenses. Others are concerned with enforcement issues.

The bill would allow cities and counties, rather than the state, to decide whether to issue liquor licenses to restaurants in their communities. Currently, restaurants need to compete with establishments such as bars for the scarce licenses, which are based on city population. Waiting lists are often years long, and consequently, license holders sell and lease licenses to restaurants that want to offer liquor as well as beer and wine. Smaller restaurants typically lease licenses because buying one can cost as much as $180,000.

Organizations such as the Association of Idaho Cities and the Boise Metro Chamber said they support Rice’s bill.