Bill Would Expand Public Drinking in Arkansas

Legislature, Public Drinking, ,

On Thursday Rep. Lee Johnson (R – Greenwood) and Sen. Breanne Davis (R – Russellville) filed H.B. 1228. The bill effectively makes it possible for many cities in dry counties to approve public drinking in “entertainment districts.”

Currently, cities and towns in wet counties can approve public drinking in commercial neighborhoods where bars and restaurants are located.

Under H.B. 1228, city councils could permit public drinking in neighborhoods where private clubs are located.

Arkansas law lets private clubs serve alcohol — even if the private club is located in a dry county.

H.B. 1228 also changes state law regarding where the city has to be located in order to authorize public drinking. If there are entities in the county that are authorized to sell alcohol — like private clubs — then H.B. 1228 says the city council can permit public drinking.

Taken together, these two changes to the law likely would let cities in dry counties permit public drinking districts around private clubs.

Family Council has opposed public drinking for years, because it raises serious concerns about public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would expand public drinking in their communities.

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Voters Reject Public Drinking in Eureka Springs

Alcohol, Public Drinking,

Last week voters in Eureka Springs rejected a proposal to legalize public drinking in part of downtown, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

This is really good news.

Act 812 of 2019 lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary under Act 812.

In February the Eureka Springs City Council decided to authorize a semi-permanent public drinking district in town, but the issue ultimately ended up being placed on the November 2020 ballot for voters to decide.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would legalize public drinking in their communities.

Photo by Photolitherland at English Wikipedia [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]

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Rogers City Leaders Discuss Public Drinking

Alcohol, Public Drinking,

City leaders and officials in Rogers are weighing whether or not to permit public drinking in some parts of town, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Act 812 of 2019 by Sen. Trent Garner (R – El Dorado) lets cities create “entertainment districts” where alcohol can be carried and consumed publicly on streets and sidewalks.

These districts can be permanent or temporary, under Act 812.

Public drinking has been authorized in a few cities and towns around Arkansas — including El Dorado, Texarkana, Mountain Home, Springdale, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Sherwood, Little Rock, and North Little Rock — since Act 812 passed last year.

Leaders in Rogers reportedly are considering whether or not to allow public drinking in the southwest part of the city near the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion and Pinnacle Hills Promenade mall.

As we have said time and time again, public drinking is a scourge on the community.

It raises serious concerns about drunk driving and public safety.

Public drinking doesn’t attract new businesses or bolster the economy.

It hurts neighborhoods and families.

Arkansans ought to stay away from any proposal that would legalize public drinking in their communities.

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