C Licenses Saved - For Now

Legislature Adjourns Without Taking Action on Bottle Law, Wine & Liquor in Grocery Stores, Expanding RTDs

The C license is safe, for now. The governor's proposal that would have allowed the SLA to issue new C licenses, opening our business to all comers, including big box stores, was removed from the budget, which was finally approved, nearly 2 months late. The legislature adjourned on Friday, June 5, and will not reconvene until January 2027, so it looks like we have run out the clock on any changes to the C license for the immediate future.

This doesn't mean that the fight is over, though. There are powerful forces behind the move to open up C licenses, so we need to remain vigilant and be prepared for another battle if the proposal gets reintroduced, either over the summer or when the legislature reconvenes next year. Meanwhile thanks to our all-star lobbying team from Gotham Government Relations, and to all the members who stepped up and participated in the fight.

The legislature also failed to take any action on other proposals that would impact the beverage center business - there were no changes to the bottle bill (meaning no increase in the current handling fee), bills that would allow supermarkets/grocery stores to sell wine and liquor did not advance, and an effort to expand the sale of spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails beyond liquor stores stalled.