More liquor law changes are on tap for Oklahoma this session from State Sen. Stephanie Bice.
One will solve a problem parents have faced for years. Senate Bill 820 would allow adults of drinking age to bring children under 12 into liquor stores with them.
"Children are allowed in grocery and convenience stores where there is the ability for the sale of wine and beer. The retail package stores are at somewhat of a disadvantage," Bice said.
Some lawmakers said the wording of Senate Bill 820 burdens liquor store clerks with sussing out how old children are. Bice said she’s open to tweaking the bill.
Senate Bill 813 would allow customers to be served up to two complimentary beverages at businesses like salons, clothing stores and art studios. Sen. Gary Stanislawski asked Bice about the legislation allowing spirits rather than just beer and wine.
"Isn’t there like a bartender’s license or something where you’re actually having to hire a true bartender to be able to mix beverages?" Stanislawski said.
"This license would allow for those individuals to be able to offer that complimentary drink. So, for example, there may be a barber shop in Tulsa that caters to men, and they may be offering while they’re cutting your hair or trimming your beard a tasting of scotch to be able to enjoy while you’re receiving your services," Bice said.
Restaurants or adult entertainment businesses would not qualify for a complimentary beverage license.
Senate Bill 819 clarifies where children are allowed in a brewery by defining the "serving area." Sen. Adam Pugh asked about the impact of that bill.
"You’re saying if there was — at a craft brewery, and they were going to eat some pretzels and the parents were going to have a beer, for instance, that the minor would not be allowed in that facility?" Pugh said.
"This actually talks about the serving area of a brewery. So, when you’re pouring and serving the beverage, we don’t want children in that area, but they can be in the rest of the establishment," Bice said."
SB819 defines the serving area as the area around the bar where drinks are sold, prepared and served. It limits that area to patrons 21 or older.
Bice is also proposing measures to allow people to take open drinks out of establishments near college football games and festivals, approve Sunday alcohol delivery to retailers, and let wineries set up satellite tasting rooms, among others.
