ALCOHOL: SALE, WARNING SIGNS
Sponsored By: Kelly Merrick (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Expanded club sales to eligible members
Beginning May 1, 2025, club license sales are limited to members and their families, widows or widowers with retained privileges, active‑duty service members granted privileges by patriotic organizations, and members of patriotic groups with reciprocity. Patriotic organizations can sign reciprocity agreements to sell to each other’s members if a majority at a general meeting approves.
Under-21 access at travel and resorts
Beginning May 1, 2025, people under 21 may be on licensed common carriers, destination resorts, or outdoor recreation lodges for travel, lodging, or outdoor recreation if they are at least 16. Those under 16 may be present with a parent or legal guardian’s consent. For theaters, under‑16s must also be with an adult age 21 or older. In large resort endorsement areas, under‑21s may be present under the same age and consent rules, but not in the original beverage‑dispensary areas where alcohol is being served.
Minors dining and teen work in restaurants
Beginning May 1, 2025, the board can allow 16‑ to 20‑year‑olds to enter and remain on licensed restaurant premises for dining only. Children under 16 may dine only with a person age 21 or older and with a parent or guardian’s consent. The board can allow employers to hire 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds if they provide supervision that ensures those workers do not obtain alcohol. These allowances also apply to seasonal restaurants and to restaurants with a restaurant endorsement.
More alcohol-service jobs for ages 18–20
Beginning May 1, 2025, people age 18 to 20 can work inside many licensed premises, including breweries, wineries, distilleries, hotels, large resorts, golf courses, wholesalers, common carriers, outdoor recreation lodges, and restaurants. They may sell, serve, deliver, or dispense alcohol as part of the job, except at businesses that offer adult entertainment. The law uses the state’s existing definition of a business that offers adult entertainment.
Tighter limits on theater alcohol sales
Beginning May 1, 2025, theaters may sell or serve alcohol only in designated areas and only from two hours before an event until one hour after it ends. The law also repeals one subsection of the theater‑license statute; theater licensees should review the updated chapter to see how their duties change.
Tighter rules for restaurant alcohol licenses
Beginning May 1, 2025, the board issues or renews restaurant alcohol licenses and endorsements only if the place is a bona fide restaurant. The licensee must supervise to reasonably ensure under‑21 people do not get alcohol, except as the law allows. It must be unlikely that under‑21 nonemployees enter or stay except to dine. The licensee must have sole control of food, alcohol, and any other business on the premises. These same rules apply to seasonal restaurant and tourism eating‑place licenses.
New warning signs and higher liability
Beginning May 1, 2025, licensees and their staff commit a crime if, with criminal negligence, they allow certain under‑21 actions on the premises, such as access to alcohol, unlawful entry or remaining, consumption, or selling/serving, except where the law allows. Beginning August 1, 2025, all 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. Signs must warn about pregnancy and cancer risks, up to five years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines for furnishing to under‑21s, and $1,500 civil damages for an unaccompanied under‑21 entrant. The first two signs must be visible to buyers or drinkers or smokers; the third must be at each customer entrance door.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kelly Merrick
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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