All Roll Calls
Yes: 43 • No: 33
AlaskaSB 1534th Legislature - First Session (2025)SenateWALLET
ALCOHOL: SALE, WARNING SIGNS
Sponsored By: Kelly Merrick (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Under-21 rules at theaters and resorts
Beginning May 1, 2025, under‑21s may be on certain licensed premises for travel, lodging, or recreation if they are at least 16. If under 16, a parent or legal guardian must consent. This applies to common carrier dispensaries, destination resorts, outdoor recreation lodges, and large resort areas, but not in bar areas where alcohol is being served. In theaters, a person under 16 must be with someone age 21 or older and have a parent or guardian’s consent.
Teens can dine and work in restaurants
Beginning May 1, 2025, people age 16–20 may enter and remain on the premises to dine only. If under 16, they may dine only if with someone age 21 or older and with a parent or guardian’s consent. Employers may hire 16–20 year‑olds, but must supervise so 16–17 year‑old workers do not get alcohol. These rules apply to restaurants, seasonal restaurant tourism licenses, and places with a restaurant endorsement.
Higher liability for serving minors
Beginning May 1, 2025, a licensee, or their agent or employee, may not, with criminal negligence, allow under‑21 sales, gifts, or drinking. They may not allow under‑21s to enter and remain except as the law allows, or let under‑21s sell or serve alcohol except where allowed. While working, they may not furnish or deliver alcohol to someone under 21. Exceptions in AS 04.16.049(d) apply.
Stricter rules for restaurant licenses
Beginning May 1, 2025, the Board issues or renews restaurant and seasonal restaurant licenses only if the place is a bona fide restaurant. The licensee must provide enough supervision so under‑21s do not get alcohol, and it must be unlikely that under‑21s who are not employees stay for non‑dining reasons. The licensee must have sole control of food, alcohol, and any other business on the premises. For a restaurant endorsement, similar bona fide and supervision rules apply, and it must be unlikely that under‑21s remain for non‑dining reasons.
More jobs for 18–20 alcohol workers
Beginning May 1, 2025, people age 18–20 may work on many licensed premises, including breweries, wineries, distilleries, hotels, resorts, golf courses, wholesalers, common carriers, outdoor lodges, and restaurants. They may sell, serve, deliver, or dispense alcohol while working. This does not apply to businesses that offer adult entertainment, as defined by state law.
Club sales limited; new reciprocity option
Beginning May 1, 2025, alcohol at club‑licensed premises may be bought only by members and their families, widows or widowers with club privileges, and active‑duty military when a patriotic group grants that privilege. Licensed patriotic clubs may sign reciprocity agreements so each club can sell to the other’s members. Each club must approve the agreement by a majority vote at a general meeting.
Tighter alcohol hours for theaters
Beginning May 1, 2025, theaters may sell or serve alcohol only in designated areas and only from two hours before the event until one hour after the event. On the same date, a prior subsection of the theater licensing law (AS 04.09.250(d)) is repealed.
New alcohol warning signs required
Beginning August 1, 2025, license and permit holders must post three warning signs. Each sign must be at least 11 by 14 inches with letters at least 1/2 inch high in contrasting colors. One warns about pregnancy risks and cancers. One warns that giving alcohol to someone under 21 can bring up to 5 years in jail and fines up to $50,000. One warns that an unaccompanied under‑21 who enters illegally may owe $1,500. The first two must be where people buy, drink, or smoke. The third must be at every customer entrance.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kelly Merrick
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/2/2025
PASSED Y32 N8
Yes: 32 • No: 8
House vote • 3/31/2025
AM NO 3 AS AMD FAILED Y11 N25 E3 A1
Yes: 11 • No: 25
Actions Timeline
(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW SEE CHAPTER
4/28/2025Senate(S) LAW W/O GOV SIGNATURE 4/25 CHAPTER 4 SLA 25
4/28/2025Senate(S) 1:35 P.M. 4/9/25 TRANSMITTED TO GOVERNOR
4/9/2025Senate(S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
4/4/2025Senate(S) CONCUR AM OF (H) Y20 N-
4/4/2025Senate(S) CONCUR MESSAGE READ AND TAKEN UP
4/4/2025Senate(H) VERSION: HCS SB 15(L&C)
4/2/2025House(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S) AS AMENDED
4/2/2025House(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): BYNUM
4/2/2025House(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE
4/2/2025House(H) PASSED Y32 N8
4/2/2025House(H) READ THE THIRD TIME HCS SB 15(L&C)
4/2/2025House(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 4/2 CALENDAR
3/31/2025House(H) AM NO 3 AS AMD FAILED Y11 N25 E3 A1
3/31/2025House(H) AM 1 TO AM 3 ADOPTED UC
3/31/2025House(H) AM NO 3 OFFERED
3/31/2025House(H) AM NO 2 OFFERED AND WITHDRAWN
3/31/2025House(H) AM NO 1 NOT OFFERED
3/31/2025House(H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING
3/31/2025House(H) CROSS SPONSOR(S): CARRICK, JOSEPHSON, GALVIN, SCHRAGE, STUTES
3/28/2025House(H) HELD IN SECOND READING TO 3/31 CALENDAR
3/28/2025House(H) L&C HCS ADOPTED UC
3/28/2025House(H) READ THE SECOND TIME
3/28/2025House(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/28/2025
3/28/2025House(H) FN1: ZERO(CED)
2/19/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled SB 15
4/4/2025
HCS SB 15(L&C)
2/19/2025
SB 15
1/22/2025