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Yes: 204 • No: 0
ConnecticutHB 068542025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR REGULATION.
Sponsored By: General Law Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To (1) redefine "container" for purposes of infused beverages, (2) establish a daily in-state transporter's liquor permit, a restaurant permit for a catering establishment or a qualified managed residential community and a mobile bar permit, (3) redefine "grocery store" for purposes of the grocery store beer permit and related provisions, (4) redefine "meal" for purposes of the caterer liquor permit, (5) specify that the Department of Consumer Protection shall not review an initial application for a liquor permit in the absence of certain required documents, (6) eliminate the newspaper publication requirement for liquor permit applications, (7) provide for a liquor education program, (8) authorize the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to enter into certain settlement agreements, (9) clarify the investigation and enforcement exception regarding purchases by minors, (10) specify that the default penalty for violation of the Liquor Control Act is a class A misdemeanor, and (11) eliminate the municipal recording requirement for liquor permits.
general law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.
Liquor businesses face penalties and settlement options
Beginning October 1, 2025, reasonable cause to believe covered consumer-protection rules were violated can trigger liquor permit penalties. The state can deny or refuse renewal, suspend or revoke permits, or fine applicants, backers, or permit holders up to $1,000 per violation. Negotiated settlements can replace hearings and include fees, probation, permit conditions or suspension, training, or added security. After suspension or revocation, the state can require employee training and proof before restoring or reissuing the permit. Training no longer replaces suspension or revocation.
Daily liquor transport permits carry fees
Beginning October 1, 2025, businesses can get daily commercial liquor transport permits for $150 per boat or vehicle per calendar day. Each backer can receive no more than eight daily permits per calendar year, and applications must identify each boat or vehicle. State approval can also allow alcohol service or sales for consumption on passenger boats or livery vehicles. Daily fees can count toward an annual permit, but excess payments are not refunded. Daily permits are outside the usual annual-expiration rule and six-month option priced at two-thirds of the regular fee.
New deadline for residents opposing liquor permits
Beginning October 1, 2025, residents have three weeks after the applicant's last required placard-posting day to object. This replaces a deadline tied to the last newspaper notice. At least ten town residents age 18 or older must file together against an initial permit application. For manufacturer or wholesaler permits, those residents can live anywhere in Connecticut. Objections can address the applicant's or location's suitability, but not matters controlled by local zoning.
Auctioneers gain more liquor auction permits
Beginning October 1, 2025, auctioneers can receive up to twelve temporary liquor auction permits per calendar year, up from four. Each permit remains valid for one auction. A permit can cover up to twelve days in a calendar year, replacing the three-consecutive-day limit.
Cafe owners gain more permit options
Beginning October 1, 2025, cafe permittees and backers under section 30-22a(d) or (h) are exempt from the general cross-class ownership restriction. This lets them hold or back permits in other liquor classes. From July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, section 30-22a(c) cafe permit holders can apply to convert to full restaurant permits. Wine-and-beer restaurant permit holders can also apply during that window, using the state's process. These conversions do not require the specified placard.
Concession sellers can offer canned spirits
Beginning October 1, 2025, concession permits cover qualifying canned drinks containing spirits at eligible venues. Drinks must contain nonalcoholic ingredients and no more than 6 percent alcohol by volume. The manufacturer must premix and package them in their original containers. Permit holders cannot mix or alter these drinks.
More grocery stores can seek beer permits
Beginning October 1, 2025, qualifying grocery stores can seek beer permits without selling fresh produce, poultry, meat, or seafood. The store must be commonly known as a deli, food store, grocery store, or supermarket. More than 50 percent of retail sales must come from a mix of the listed food categories. Stores focused mainly on one food category remain excluded.
Underage alcohol investigations gain clearer authority
Beginning June 10, 2025, the law allows inducing a minor to obtain alcohol during authorized official investigations or enforcement activities. Law enforcement or the state consumer agency must authorize or conduct the activity. Sellers remain subject to enforcement for selling alcohol to participating minors.
Liquor applicants must complete state training
Beginning January 1, 2026, direct-to-consumer alcohol businesses face a training requirement for initial final permits, ownership transfers, and permanent permittee replacements. Applicants, their backers, every backer member, and permittees must complete state liquor education unless the state grants a written waiver. Training covers preventing underage sales and overservice, promotion limits, and other state-set topics. Active provisional permit holders on January 1, 2026, are exempt when obtaining final permits. Active final permit holders on that date are exempt when renewing.
Stricter paperwork for liquor permit applicants
Beginning October 1, 2025, initial applicants must submit properly signed building, fire, zoning, and local sales-hours documents before state review. Missing or improperly signed documents make the application withdrawn and invalid after 30 days. Covered applicants must post a readable, highway-visible placard by the day after receiving it. Unbuilt sites need a sign at least 6 feet by 4 feet; the state directs another notice method when needed. Renewals and listed permit types are exempt from placard rules; cafe permits under section 30-22a(d) or (h) avoid local building, zoning, and sales-hours requirements.
Advance liquor permit checks may cost $15
Beginning October 1, 2025, individuals can ask whether a criminal conviction disqualifies them from holding a liquor permit. They must submit conviction details and any required payment, and the state must respond within 30 days. Review considers the conviction's connection to safe or competent work, rehabilitation, and time since conviction or release. The fee is up to $15 per request, and the state can waive it.
Liquor sellers face case packaging limits
Beginning October 1, 2025, covered liquor cases must use listed quantities, ranging from six 3,750-milliliter bottles to 120 50-milliliter bottles. Bottles or units must share the same class and size. State approval allows fewer units, but only eight times per person or business per calendar year. A 50-milliliter case can instead use the maker's or out-of-state shipper's original configuration, capped at 200 bottles. These rules exclude beer, cocktails, cordials, prepared mixed drinks, and wine.
Residential communities gain alcohol service with limits
Beginning October 1, 2025, qualifying managed residential communities can use restaurant permits for alcohol service at events and daily scheduled meals. They need suitable kitchens and dining rooms meeting local health rules, with daily meals limited to residents, guests, and employees. Alcohol sales generally serve only invited attendees during scheduled hours; a permanent waiver is available when alcohol accompanies only daily on-site meals. Sales, service, consumption, and drink-ready containers are barred from 1–9 a.m. Monday–Friday, 2–9 a.m. Saturday, and 2–10 a.m. Sunday. Additional restrictions apply on Christmas and January 1.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
General Law Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/24/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 310
Yes: 36 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2025
House Roll Call Vote 218 AS AMENDED
Yes: 146 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2025
GL Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
Yes: 22 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/10/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/9/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/9/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-51
6/3/2025legislatureOn Consent Calendar / In Concurrence
5/30/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/30/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
5/30/2025SenateFile Number 983
5/29/2025legislatureSenate Calendar Number 559
5/29/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/29/2025SenateImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
5/28/2025SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/28/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 9218
5/28/2025HouseFile Number 617
4/9/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 378
4/9/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
4/9/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/9/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 04/08/25 5:00 PM
4/3/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/24/2025legislatureJoint Favorable Substitute
3/24/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 02/14
2/7/2025legislatureReferred to Joint Committee on General Law
2/5/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-51
6/3/2025
File No. 983
5/29/2025
File No. 617
4/9/2025
GL Joint Favorable Substitute
3/24/2025
Raised Bill
2/5/2025
Bill Analysis For File Copy 617
Bill Analysis For File Copy 983
Bill Analysis for HB-6854, as amended by House "A"
Fiscal Note For File Copy 617
Fiscal Note For File Copy 983
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9218 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-6854, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 9218)
GL Joint Fav. Rpt
GL Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Substitute)
House Roll Call Vote 218 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 9218 (J)
Senate Roll Call Vote 310
Summary for Public Act No. 25-51
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