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HB 5518

Liquor: hours; allowable hours for sale of alcoholic beverages in airports; revise. Amends sec. 1114 of 1998 PA 58 (MCL 436.2114).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Aragona

Allows alcohol sales at publicly owned airports in Michigan at any time with airport governing body approval, while keeping other locations restricted 2-7 am.

introduced by the Co-Speakers {0}, {1} on behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives
#aeronautics:airports #liquor:hours
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Bill Summary · HB 5518

Bill Overview

  • Bill: HB 5518
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Michigan
  • Topic: Liquor hours – allow hours for sale of alcoholic beverages in airports; revise. Amends section 1114 of 1998 PA 58 (MCL 436.2114)

Purpose and Intent

HB 5518 would modify Michigan’s Liquor Control Code to permit alcohol sales at publicly owned airports to occur at any time, on any day, subject to approval by the airport’s governing body. This represents an exception to the current general statewide rule that prohibits selling, giving away, or furnishing alcoholic liquor between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. The bill aims to increase flexibility for airport operators and align airport operations with travel needs and traffic patterns.

Key Provisions

  • Amends MCL 436.2114 (Section 1114) to create an exception for airports:
    • A licensee operating at a publicly owned airport may sell, give away, or furnish alcoholic liquor at any time, any day.
    • This is subject to the approval of the governing body of the applicable publicly owned airport.
  • Maintains existing general restrictions for most licensees:
    • Outside of airports, the default prohibition remains: no sale, gift, or furnishing of alcohol between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., except as otherwise provided by the act or Commission rules.
  • Local control on Sunday timing:
    • Subsection (2) preserves local government authority to prohibit beer and wine sales between 7:00 a.m. and noon on Sundays or between 7:00 a.m. Sunday and 2:00 a.m. Monday for beer/wine (and similarly for spirits/mixed drinks under related sections). If clubs operate on Sundays, a permit and annual fee ($160) to the commission would apply for Sunday morning alcohol sales.
  • Time reference:
    • The bill clarifies that “time of day” includes daylight saving time, when observed.

Who/What is Affected

  • Publicly owned airports in Michigan (and licensees operating within those airports) would gain the option to sell alcohol at any time, subject to airport governing body approval.
  • Other licensees (on- and off-premises) would remain subject to the 2:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. restriction unless altered by future statutes or rules.
  • Local governments retain Sunday sale prohibitions for beer/wine or spirits/mixed drinks, with the associated permit and fee requirement for Sunday sales where applicable.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced and referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee in February 2026.
  • No fiscal impact to state or local governments is anticipated per the House Fiscal Agency analysis.
  • Effective date and implementation details would depend on passage and any necessary administrative rules or airport approvals.

Potential Impacts

  • Airports could offer extended or 24/7 alcohol service, improving passenger convenience and airport operations, subject to airport governance.
  • Local communities’ Sunday sale restrictions at non-airport locations remain unchanged.
  • No immediate statewide revenue changes are identified; any fiscal effects would likely emerge from airport-specific operations and licensing dynamics.

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

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