Legislator authors opt-in plan offering municipalities more independence

Local establishments with licenses to sell alcohol would have the freedom to extend their hours of operation upon approval from community officials under legislation introduced today by state Rep. Ryan Berman of Commerce Township.

Under Berman’s plan, local governments will be given the option to allow community businesses the ability to sell alcohol between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m.

“We are simply giving local municipalities the option to allow alcohol permits for establishments desiring to extend their hours of operation,” said Berman, who serves as the majority vice chair of the House Regulatory Reform Committee. “It’s an optional program. By no means do communities have to act in accordance with this proposal and grant businesses extended hours. It’s strictly up to local officials on how they wish to regulate alcohol sales within their borders.”

Berman said local governments which opt in could see a general increase in revenue.

House Bill 4213 now moves to the House Regulatory Reform Committee for further consideration.