VirginiaSB142026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Alcoholic beverage control; commercial lifestyle center licenses.

Sponsored By: Bill DeSteph (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; retail licenses; commercial lifestyle center licenses. Allows the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to grant a commercial lifestyle center license and a performing arts facility license for the same designated area in any municipality with a population in excess of 450,000 and an annual tourism fiscal impact in excess of $3.5 billion provided that (i) the performing arts facility license is limited to prescheduled events and (ii) such licenses shall not be used simultaneously.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 8 mixed.

Casinos get broad drink service rights

Casinos can get a mixed‑drink license without meeting food‑sales rules. Drinks can be sold during casino hours in Board‑approved areas. Casinos may give complimentary drinks in private or restricted areas. They may also let patrons use loyalty credits to buy drinks on site. Wine and beer privileges are also available once local fees are paid.

Hotels and B&B alcohol service expanded

Hotels, restaurants, and clubs can sell wine and beer to drink on site or to take home in closed containers. The Board may allow broader service across a resort complex, and limited‑service hotels can serve guests if they provide at least one meal each day. Continuing care facilities may let residents keep and drink their own lawful alcohol in licensed areas. Bed and breakfasts can serve alcohol to overnight guests, with or without meals, and guests may keep and drink their own lawful alcohol in approved rooms or areas.

Online alcohol sales and shipments

Shippers can get a license to sell and ship wine and beer into the Commonwealth under Board rules. Online retailers, inside or outside the Commonwealth, can get an internet license to ship closed containers to Virginia customers. Internet retailers do not have to meet any monthly food‑sale rule.

Alcohol sales at sports and arts venues

Sports facilities, stadiums, coliseums, and racetracks can sell drinks during events in seating, concourses, and concession areas. Performing arts venues and their concessionaires can sell on show dates; some sites may use disposable cups or single cans. Concert and dinner‑theaters must serve food when they serve alcohol. Very large exhibition or convention halls can be licensed in approved counties or cities. Venues may allow patrons to keep and drink their own lawful alcohol in licensed areas.

Drinks allowed in shopping districts

A commercial lifestyle center license lets tenants sell drinks for customers to enjoy in Board‑approved plazas and seating areas. A designated outdoor refreshment area license lets a city, BID, or nonprofit allow public‑area drinking by buyers from on‑premises retailers, usually up to 16 events a year and up to 3 days each. Containers must show the selling business’s name or logo, and the area must have posted boundaries and security. A marketplace license lets non‑alcohol‑primary businesses give free drinks to customers, capped at two 5‑oz wines or two 12‑oz beers per person per day, with training and on‑site control rules.

New mixed‑drink rules for restaurants and caterers

Restaurants can sell mixed drinks if at least 45% of total food and mixed‑drink sales come from food and nonalcoholic drinks. Caterers can get a full mixed‑drink license with the same 45% rule, or a limited license for up to 12 events a year. A dessert‑only license lets restaurants sell dessert wines and up to six liqueurs, but all alcohol under that license cannot exceed 10% of total food and alcohol sales. A combined restaurant‑and‑caterer license is allowed at one location with a shared inventory, if each license’s food rules are met. Port restaurants on U.S. port property can be licensed if they meet the 45% food rule.

Farm co-ops can take wine and beer orders

The law lets agricultural cooperatives get a marketing portal license. They can take internet orders in Virginia for wine or beer on behalf of licensed shippers. They must forward each order to a shipper for fulfillment. They may accept payment for the shipper and must follow Board rules.

New license for alcohol delivery apps

The law creates a license for third-party alcohol delivery services. Delivery platforms and drivers can apply for this license. Deliveries must follow the privileges and limits in § 4.1-212.2 and Board rules. This clarifies who can legally deliver alcoholic beverages.

Banquet license for volunteer fire and EMS stations

The law creates a banquet facility license for volunteer fire and EMS agencies. People may drink lawfully acquired alcohol on the station premises. The agency cannot buy, sell, or charge for the alcohol. The station must be regularly occupied and recognized by the governing body. The Board may set rules for other premises under the agency’s control.

Hospitals can sell wine and beer

Hospitals can sell wine and beer on site and in closed containers to take home. Alcohol may be served in a patient’s room only with the attending doctor’s consent. This adds a controlled service option for adult patients and visitors.

More retail tastings and specialty sales

Rural groceries outside city limits can sell wine and beer if they show strong public demand. Retail stores can give in‑store samples up to 4 oz of beer or 2 oz of wine per sample, capped at 12 oz of beer or 5 oz of wine per person per day. Gourmet brewing shops can sell ingredients and rent space to make, ferment, and bottle for take‑home use. Confectioners can sell items with up to 5% alcohol by volume, but the alcohol cannot be liquid at sale.

Museum alcohol options for members and visitors

Nonprofit museums can get a license to sell wine and beer for on‑site use or in closed containers to take home. A separate museum license lets tax‑exempt museums serve alcoholic beverages to members and guests on museum grounds, but they cannot sell or charge for drinks under that license.

Simpler licenses for events and nonprofits

Nonprofits can get one‑day licenses to sell wine, beer, or mixed drinks at special events, with a separate license needed for each day. Tax‑exempt membership groups can get annual banquet or mixed‑drink banquet licenses for up to 12 events a year. Clubs with wine‑and‑beer licenses can add up to 12 mixed‑drink event days per year. Arts venues at community art walks can serve up to two 5‑oz wines or two 12‑oz beers per adult per event, on no more than 12 days a year. Equine events may allow on‑site drinking on up to four days a year but cannot sell or charge for drinks. A one‑day tasting license is also available; and some large agricultural event park operators can get annual special‑event licenses for scheduled events.

Rules for warehouses, bottlers, and carriers

Licensed fulfillment warehouses in Virginia can store and ship orders for shipper‑license holders under Board rules. Wholesale wine or beer licensees and their affiliates cannot own a financial interest in these warehouses. Bottlers can receive beer, bottle it, and sell or ship to wholesalers, certain U.S.‑registered vessels, and out‑of‑state buyers. Common carriers and approved airport lounges can sell mixed drinks to passengers in transit. Air carriers must name storage locations and keep inventory records.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bill DeSteph

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 204 • No: 5

House vote 2/27/2026

Passed House

Yes: 90 • No: 4

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 19 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Rehabilitation and Social Services Amendment agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with amendments

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0327)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 327 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB14)

    3/4/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB14ER)

    3/4/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/4/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/4/2026House
  10. Passed House (90-Y 4-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/27/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/26/2026House
  13. Reported from General Laws (19-Y 1-N)

    2/24/2026House
  14. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/9/2026House
  15. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  16. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB14)

    2/6/2026Senate
  18. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  19. Rehabilitation and Social Services Amendment agreed to

    2/3/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/3/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    2/3/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/2/2026Senate
  23. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/2/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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