Gov. Rick Snyder on Thursday signed a bill that will allow more business owners in the state to secure conditional liquor licenses.
Sponsored by Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), Public Act 315 amends the Michigan Liquor Code by expanding the eligibility of liquor license applicants to obtain a conditional license to operate their business while the Michigan Liquor Control Commission conducts its customary background checks.
“This bill helps remove some barriers for Michigan employers by expanding opportunities for them to obtain conditional licenses in order to get businesses up and running faster,” says Snyder.
To receive a conditional license, an applicant must submit an affidavit that the proposed business location is at least 500 feet away from a school or a church.
“Since 2014, conditional liquor licenses have been an invaluable tool that has allowed the restaurant industry to expand their operations and provide more jobs,” says Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant Association in Lansing. “This will allow for the responsible extension of this opportunity, which will only lead to more opportunities for growth.”
PA 315 was presented to Snyder on Oct. 27, and passed out of both chambers with bipartisan support.
