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Bill

A 7412

Exempts certain property from the prohibition of alcohol sales within a certain distance from a church

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Harry Bronson

The bill creates an exemption allowing alcohol sales on certain properties near a church that meet specific criteria, overriding the usual proximity prohibition.

SIGNED CHAP.343
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Bill Summary · A 7412

Bill A 7412 — Summary

Title and Purpose

  • Title: Exempts certain property from the prohibition of alcohol sales within a certain distance from a church.
  • Purpose: Create a statutory carve-out that allows alcohol sales on properties meeting specified criteria even if they would ordinarily be prohibited due to proximity to a church. The bill defines which properties qualify for exemption and under what conditions the exemption applies.

Status and Legislative History

  • Introduced: March 25, 2025
  • Primary Sponsor: Harry B. Bronson
  • Companion: S 7326
  • Key steps:
    • 2025-04-09: Referred to the Assembly committee (Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business); subsequently reported and moved through Rules and to Third Reading.
    • 2025-04-09: Delivered to Senate; referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business; progressed through committee and Rules.
    • 2025-06-10: Substituted for S7326; passed Senate; returned to Assembly; 3rd Reading CAL.1769.
    • 2025-08-15: Delivered to Governor.
    • 2025-08-22: Signed into law as Chapter 343 (SIGNED CHAP.343).
  • Summary of process: The bill moved through standard bicameral consideration, with a Senate passage on June 10, then governor’s signature in August 2025.

Key Provisions (What the bill would change)

  • Creates an exemption from the existing prohibition on alcohol sales within a defined distance of a church.
  • Establishes criteria for what constitutes “exempt property” (the specific eligibility requirements are defined in the enacted text).
  • Likely addresses how the exemption interacts with existing licensing regimes and local enforcement, though the precise administrative details would be in the enacted language.
  • If applicable, may include standards or conditions tied to the exemption (e.g., types of licenses, hours of operation, zoning considerations, or notification/approval requirements).

Who Is Affected

  • Alcohol retailers and licensees operating on property that would otherwise be restricted due to proximity to a church.
  • Property owners or operators seeking to use such property for alcohol sales.
  • Local governments and zoning authorities that administer alcohol licensing and proximity rules.
  • Churches and nearby residents may be indirectly affected by changes to where alcohol sales can occur.

Timeline and Effective Date

  • Signed into law: August 22, 2025 (Chapter 343) after governor’s action on August 15, 2025.
  • The enacted bill supersedes the prior prohibition for qualifying properties per the new exemption, with an effective date specified in Chapter 343 (not stated here).

Additional Notes

  • Related bill: S 7326 (Senate companion).
  • As enacted, the law clarifies and formalizes an exemption pathway; readers should consult the actual chapter language for exact definitions, eligibility criteria, and any operational requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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