Exempts certain parcels of land from licensing restrictions relating to alcoholic beverages

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

The bill exempts the Performing Arts Unit in the AOL Time Warner Center from ABC license-sharing and on-premises retail restrictions.

COMMITTED TO RULES

Summary of Bill S. 9317-A (2025-2026, New York)

Purpose and intent

The bill amends the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law to exempt certain parcels of land from licensing restrictions that prohibit:

manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of alcoholic beverages from sharing an interest in a licensed premises, and
selling at retail for consumption on the licensed premises.

Specifically, it grants an exemption for a defined condominium unit in the AOL Time Warner Center, Manhattan, known as the “Performing Arts Unit,” from these license-sharing and on-premises retail restrictions.

Key provisions and changes

Adds a new subparagraph (xix) to paragraph (a) of subdivision 1, §101 of the ABC Law:

Creates an exemption for the Performing Arts Unit of the AOL Time Warner Center Condominium (a precisely described condominium unit with its legal and parcel identifiers).

Adds a new subparagraph (xxiv) to paragraph (a) of subdivision 13, §106 of the ABC Law:

Mirrors the exemption for the same Performing Arts Unit in the context of license restrictions prohibiting shared interests and on-premises retail.

The description of the unit is highly specific, including:

Declaration and amendments related to the condominium plan
Tax lot and block identifiers
Condominium plans and CRN numbers
Filing dates with the New York City Register and the NYC Department of Finance (Assessment Department)

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who or what would be affected

The Performing Arts Unit within the AOL Time Warner Center Condominium in Manhattan would be exempt from:

Restrictions that prohibit manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of alcohol from sharing an interest in a licensed premises
Restrictions that prohibit selling alcohol at retail for consumption on the premises

This affects the operators, potential licensees, and any entities that would have otherwise been restricted by the standard licensing-sharing and on-premises consumption rules.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in February 2026 and referred to the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee.

Committee reported favorably; advanced to the third reading and amended.

Final stages indicated include passage in both houses (as reflected by the bill’s progress in May–June 2026) and immediate effect upon enactment.

The bill is designated as an AS (assented) version, indicating a preferred or finalized form after amendments.

Practical impact and considerations

If enacted, the Performing Arts Unit would have a legal exemption from certain ABC licensing restrictions that otherwise limit cross-interest ownership and on-premises retail sales.

This could facilitate unique licensing arrangements for the unit (potentially affecting partnerships among alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers, and on-site retailers within that specific unit).

The exemption is narrowly tailored to a single, clearly described condominium unit, limiting broader impact on other condominiums or properties.