A pair of Idaho lawmakers hope to reform the Gem State’s 70-year-old liquor license laws.
State Senators Jim Rice and Patti Anne Lodge say Idaho’s current laws create a profitable market market in liquor licensing speculation, and impede economic development and private businesses. The two Canyon County Republicans seek to reform the laws to allow cities and counties the discretion on whether to issue liquor licenses, while also providing added incentives to existing state-issued liquor license holders, improving alcohol server training to curb violations, and eliminating the secondary market of trafficking state liquor licenses.
The changes could fundamentally shift major aspects of how liquor licenses are distributed, including allowing counties and cities to opt out of approving liquor licenses for any new businesses all together. Licenses for new bars and nightclubs would also have new stipulations, including requiring owners to purchase an already-existing state license to open a new establishment.
Rice plans to introduce the bill before the Senate State Affairs Committee this week.
Under Idaho’s archaic liquor-by-the-drink licensing system, each incorporated city in the state initially receives two licenses and an additional license for every 1,500 residents. Additionally, Idaho only issues liquor licenses in incorporated cities, though the state does have a specialty license exception for golf courses, ski resorts, and a few other recreation or hospitality facilities. (Idaho Statesman)
