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MississippiHB 13302026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; revise definition of "qualified resort area".

Sponsored By: Zuber

Signed by Governor

State AffairsFinance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Package liquor stores in resort areas

Beginning July 1, 2026, cities, certain county boards, and the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Board may let package liquor stores open inside listed resort areas. If local officials pass an ordinance or resolution, stores there can legally receive, store, sell, and distribute packaged alcohol.

How places qualify as resort areas

The law updates what a “qualified resort area” is. Areas outside city limits must attract tourists and be approved by the Department of Revenue. The law lists many specific places that count once they meet size or location rules. The department may grant conditional approval while a project is being built, but status starts when it is finished. After July 1, 2018, no area within two miles of a convent or monastery in counties crossed by I‑55 and U.S. 98 can be approved unless the convent or monastery files a written waiver. Beginning July 1, 2026, some listed places are automatic resort areas and do not need a separate declaration.

On-site alcohol in state parks and resorts

Beginning July 1, 2026, on‑premises retailer permits can be issued inside state parks and other qualified resort areas. Businesses with these permits can sell drinks for consumption on site, even in dry counties. A state park can be declared a resort area only if the parks agency director asks in writing. In those parks, hotels, restaurants, and B&Bs can get only on‑premises retailer permits.

Where alcohol businesses can operate in counties

Since April 16, 2021, making, selling, or distributing alcohol in a county is allowed only inside cities, approved resort areas, or clubs. Caterer permits have special exceptions. At the same time, native wines, native spirits, and craft spirits are lawful anywhere in a county unless another law or a department rule forbids it.

2020-2021 alcohol permits stay renewable

If your alcohol permit was issued between July 1, 2020, and April 15, 2021, you can renew it on or after April 16, 2021. This applies to permits in towns, resort areas, or clubs.

Campus restaurants and hotels follow normal rules

Starting July 1, 2026, a third‑party restaurant or hotel on school‑owned property is not treated as part of the school campus for alcohol rules if it keeps all food and alcohol revenue. This clarifies that those businesses follow normal business alcohol rules.

Rules for B&Bs, hotel spas, cooking schools

Starting July 1, 2026, a bed‑and‑breakfast must be inside a city, have 8 to 19 rooms, and over half the rooms must be in a former residence at first licensing. There is an exception for places on the National Register of Historic Places. A hotel‑owned spa in a city or resort area counts if licensed staff provide paid personal care. A cooking school must be in a city or resort area, be owned by a nationally recognized company, and offer a set curriculum and scheduled group classes. Grocery, convenience, and drugstore classes do not count.

Rules for Mississippi-made wine and spirits

Starting July 1, 2026, native wine is Mississippi‑made, up to 21% alcohol by weight, using mostly Mississippi fruits or similar. The department can let producers import bulk or fortified wine for blending without paying excise tax first. A native spirit must be made in Mississippi with at least 51% of its volume from Mississippi‑produced inputs. The law also defines craft spirits and craft distilleries made in whole or part in Mississippi.

Cities can zone package liquor stores

Since April 16, 2021, cities can use zoning laws to decide where package alcohol stores may locate. If you run a package store, your location must meet local zoning rules.

Local rules for bars in resort areas

Local boards may set hours of operation, require a minimum share of revenue from meals, and pick where alcohol‑serving places can be inside certain resort areas. These rules only apply where the law lists that local power and after an ordinance or resolution is passed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Zuber

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 352 • No: 28

House vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 113 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 47 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 44 • No: 6 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 43 • No: 8

House vote • 2/12/2026

Passed

Yes: 105 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/6/2026House

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2026House

  8. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026House

  9. Recommitted For Further Conf

    3/31/2026Senate

  10. Reconsidered

    3/31/2026Senate

  11. Motion to Reconsider Entered

    3/31/2026Senate

  12. Conference Report Adopted

    3/31/2026Senate

  13. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026House

  14. Conference Report Filed

    3/30/2026Senate

  15. Conferees Named Harkins,Michel,Barrett

    3/24/2026Senate

  16. Conferees Named Zuber,Powell,Yates

    3/12/2026House

  17. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/11/2026House

  18. Returned For Concurrence

    3/5/2026Senate

  19. Passed As Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  20. Amended

    3/4/2026Senate

  21. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/26/2026Senate

  22. Referred To Finance

    2/18/2026Senate

  23. Transmitted To Senate

    2/13/2026House

  24. Passed

    2/12/2026House

  25. Read the Third Time

    2/11/2026House

Bill Text

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