A bill that limits citizen and neighborhood input on liquor licenses quietly passed a legislative committee last week. Senate Bill 1460: Liquor Licensees; Records (Sen. Michelle Reagan, R-Scottsdale) was revised with a "strike-everything" amendment that makes numerous changes to the liquor license approval process. Among the changes is a troubling provision that would eliminate input from communities when an existing liquor license is transferred to a new applicant. That would prevent police from investigating people who request a liquor license transfer and make it nearly impossible to uncover hidden ownership of liquor establishments by individuals with a criminal background. The bill also creates new roadblocks for neighborhood associations that want to submit comments to be considered by the city or the State Liquor Board in evaluating liquor license applications. Many other process changes are proposed. Feel free to contact your legislators if you are interested in this issue.Source: P.L.A.N.
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