NAT'L SPORTING EVENT LIQUOR LICENSES S.B. 901:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 901 (as introduced 4-20-16)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Liquor Control Code to allow the Liquor Control Commission to issue a national sporting event license for the 2016 United States Golf Association (USGA) Amateur Championship.
The Code allows the Commission to issue national sporting event licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises concerning a national sporting event if the Commission finds that all of the following circumstances exist:
-- The local governmental unit in which the event is to be conducted is the host governmental unit for that event.
-- The premises to be licensed are located in a theme area or theme areas designated by the governing body of the host governmental unit in conjunction with the event or are operated in conjunction with the event.
-- The Commission determines that the event will attract a substantial number of tourists from outside of Michigan.
-- The event is conducted under the auspices of a national sanctioning body.
In addition, the applicant must be one of the following:
-- A Michigan licensee for the sale of alcohol liquor for on-premises consumption.
-- The promotor of the national sporting event or an affiliate of the promotor.
-- A person who has entered into a written Commission-approved concession or catering agreement with the promotor or its affiliate.
-- An organization qualified for licensure as a special licensee, as provided in the Code and rules.
A license may not be issued for more than 30 consecutive days, and must be for specific designated time periods that include the national sporting event and activities associated with it. The Commission may not issue more than 40 licenses for use at the same time in a theme area or areas. An applicant must pay the Commission a license fee of $1,000 at the time of the application.
"National sporting event" means a sports-related event considered of national prominence and includes only the following:
-- The 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
-- The 2006 National Football League Super Bowl.
-- The 2008 Professional Golfers' Association Championship.
-- The 2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four.
The bill would add the 2016 USGA Amateur Championship to the list of events considered a national sporting event.
BACKGROUND
According to USGA.org, the U.S. Amateur Championship was created in 1895 and is the oldest USGA championship. The championship was created because of a controversy involving two clubs in 1894, Newport (Rhode Island) Golf Club and New York's St. Andrew's Golf Club. Both had conducted invitational tournaments to attract the nation's top amateur players and had proclaimed their winners as the national champion.
Before the final day of the St. Andrew's tournament, it was announced that an association composed of all the clubs in the United States would be formed in the near future. The national governing body would oversee a universally recognized championship. On December 22, 1894, the USGA was founded, with the first USGA Amateur Championship occurring the following year. The Championship has been held annually since 1895, except for during World War I and World War II.
The 2016 USGA Amateur Championship will be held at Oakland Hills Country Club, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, from August 15 to August 21.
Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.