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Minutes for HB2502 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Authorizing retail liquor stores to sell and deliver alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages to a caterer, public venue, club or drinking establishment located in any county.
Minutes Content for Thu, Jan 27, 2022
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2502. The Revisor provided an overview of the bill.
Chairperson Barker recognized Scott Schneider as a proponent on HB2502 (Attachment 1). The Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association supports this bill because it would allow drinking establishments to purchase their alcohol beyond their county line, which would give them additional access to products they want when they want them. A question was asked by Representative Ruiz.
Chairperson Barker recognized Whitney Damron as an opponent to HB2502 (Attachment 2). The position of the Kansas Association for Responsible Liquor Laws is that there is no need to adopt a bill expanding the opportunity for delivery statewide because that could be of significant detriment in areas of the state that only have one or two retailers in the county. A question was asked by Representative Awerkamp.
Chairperson Barker allowed Amy Campbell to testify as an opponent to HB2502 (Attachment 3). The Kansas Association of Beverage Retailers does not support HB2502, as written. It does not believe this is a statewide problem. Removing all regional boundaries creates complicated issues as it relates to the transactions, deliveries, and returns that might be expected between the multiple tiers of the industry in a given area. A question was asked by Chairperson Barker.
Jason Watkins testified as an opponent to HB2502 (Attachment 4). He stated that the Kansas Beer Wholesalers Association opposes this bill because it would create serious complications and confusion within the Kansas alcohol marketplace. This legislation takes an unnecessarily broad approach to amending the statute to address a narrow area of concern. Questions were asked by Representative Arnberger.
Chairperson Barker recognized Tuck Duncan as an opponent to HB2502 (Attachment 5). He stated that the Kansas Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association's opposition to this bill is rooted in a concern that as sales to on-premise licensees are concentrated in a few larger retailers with the wholesalers basic permit, then the revenue base for the primarily rural retail licensees will be eroded to such an extent that there will end up being multiple counties with no retailers. The current system in place has worked well for over 40 years so they would ask that the Committee not pass HB2502. Questions were asked by Representative Arnberger.
Chairperson Barker recognized Phillip Cosby as an opponent to HB2502 (Attachment 6). He stated that the American Family Action of Kansas and Missouri opposes HB2502 since it proposes the expansion of alcohol deliveries to clubs across Kansas. When alcohol is allowed in strip clubs, the crime risk rises. A discussion ensued as to whether sexually oriented businesses had any relationship to the bill.
Chairperson Barker stated that when the bill is worked, amendments can be offered. If they are germane to the underlying bill, they will be voted on. HB2502 is confined to the proximity of when and where a club can buy alcohol.
Chairperson Barker closed the hearing on HB2502.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 a.m.
