Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Impact
The bill has the potential to significantly impact state laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages. By permitting certain individuals with felony records to obtain licenses, SB15 seeks to foster inclusivity within the alcohol licensing landscape. Supporters argue that this bill could promote economic opportunities for rehabilitated individuals, allowing them to reintegrate successfully into society. This could lead to increased participation in the alcohol industry, which is a substantial sector of the state's economy.
Summary
SB15 amends the Kansas liquor control act by allowing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony, provided that the conviction occurred more than ten years prior to the application date and that the individual has demonstrated sufficient rehabilitation. This change aims to enhance access to licensing for individuals previously barred from obtaining such licenses due to felony convictions, thereby potentially reducing barriers to employment and entrepreneurship in the alcohol industry.
Conclusion
Overall, SB15 represents a notable shift in Kansas' approach to alcohol licensing, balancing the need for rehabilitation with community safety concerns. As discussions continue, the implications of this bill will be important to observe, particularly its real-world effects on both the individuals it seeks to help and the broader public.
Contention
Despite its potential benefits, SB15 has faced contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Proponents of the bill emphasize the importance of second chances for individuals who have served their time and worked towards rehabilitation. They advocate that the state should not penalize individuals indefinitely for past mistakes. However, some opponents express concerns around public safety and the integrity of alcohol sales, arguing that permitting felons to obtain licenses could lead to increased risks regarding substance abuse and prior criminal activities associated with alcohol distribution.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Repealing the prohibition on transportation of alcoholic beverages in opened containers and on drinking or consuming alcoholic liquor inside vehicles while on the public streets, alleys, roads or highways.
Exempting charitable raffle prizes of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages from the Kansas liquor control act, the club and drinking establishment act and the Kansas cereal malt beverage act.
Modifying how certain prior convictions are counted for the special sentencing rule related to possession of a controlled substance and providing concurrent or consecutive sentencing for persons convicted of new crimes while on release for a felony.
Exempting charitable raffle prizes of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages from the Kansas liquor control act, the club and drinking establishment act and the Kansas cereal malt beverage act; amending the spirits, wine and beer distributors law regulating samples; requiring monthly remittance of gallonage taxes regarding special order shipping of wine; allowing businesses to sell cereal malt beverage by the drink on Sundays without requiring that 30% of the gross receipts of such businesses be derived from the sale of food; permitting food establishments to allow dogs in outside areas on the premises and food establishments that are microbreweries to allow dogs in outside and inside areas on the premises notwithstanding certain provisions of the Kansas food code; amending the common consumption area law to permit rather than require roads be blocked and allowing designation of such areas by signage.
Providing sampling rules for alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages for spirits distributors, wine distributors and beer distributors in regard to the amount of products used for samples for distributors, retailers and club and drinking establishment licensees.
Prohibiting denial of a petition for expungement due to the petitioner's inability to pay outstanding costs, fees, fines or restitution, providing that the waiting period for expungement starts on the date of conviction or adjudication and authorizing expungement of a juvenile adjudication if the juvenile has not committed a felony offense in the previous two years.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue certain licenses to persons convicted of certain felonies if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Authorizing the director of alcoholic beverage control to issue licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor to persons convicted of a felony if such conviction is more than 10 years old.
Renames Division of Purchase and Property; revises certain aspects of State procurement process; repeals MacBride principles certification requirement.
Renames Division of Purchase and Property; revises certain aspects of State procurement process; repeals MacBride principles certification requirement.
Renames Division of Purchase and Property; revises certain aspects of State procurement process; repeals MacBride principles certification requirement.