2020 House Bill 5781 / Public Act 124

Allow bars and restaurant to serve alcohol in ‘commons area’

Introduced in the House

May 19, 2020

Introduced by Rep. Michael Webber (R-45)

To allow “on-premises licensees” (restaurants that serve alcohol and bars that serve food) to serve alcohol in a "commons area" within a “social district” designated by a local government “that is shared by and abuts the premises of at least two other on-premises licensees,” and allow local governments to authorize this.

Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform

June 3, 2020

Reported without amendment

Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted.

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

June 17, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Passed in the House 107 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

June 18, 2020

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

June 24, 2020

Passed in the Senate 36 to 1 (details)

To allow “on-premises licensees” (restaurants that serve alcohol and bars that serve food) to serve alcohol in a "commons area" within a “social district” designated by a local government “that is shared by and abuts the premises of at least two other on-premises licensees,” and allow local governments to authorize this.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

July 1, 2020