Bill
SB 73
Expands varsity liquor licenses to include specific community college event centers, allowing on-site alcohol sales for scheduled campus events at those venues.
Status summary
- Bill number: SB 73
- Subject: Higher education (community colleges); liquor licenses
- Legal change: Amends section 513 of the Michigan Liquor Control Code (1998 PA 58), MCL 436.1513
- Introduced: August 7, 2025
- Current status (per provided info): Referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform
Main purpose
SB 73 expands the list of higher‑education–related venues that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission may authorize to sell alcoholic liquor for on‑site consumption. The intent is to allow specific community college event and culinary centers to obtain licenses for scheduled campus events that are currently excluded because statute names only certain buildings.
Key provisions / what the bill would do
- Adds the following venues to the list of college/university locations that may hold conference‑center style liquor licenses under MCL 436.1513:
- Expo Center Complex and John Lewis Student Community Center — Macomb Community College
- Wayne County Community College District Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center
- Morris Lawrence Building — Washtenaw County Community College
- John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center — Henry Ford College
- Requires that any license for these locations be originally acquired on the open market at fair market value (i.e., the license must be purchased on the open market).
- Retains existing constraints in the statute: licenses issued to governing boards are to be used only for specified, regularly scheduled conference‑center activities (not for unscheduled public events).
- Licenses under this statutory provision are nontransferable (consistent with the current section).
- Leaves other licensing authority and quota rules in place where section 531 applies.
Who is affected
- Primary: the named community colleges and their governing boards — they would be able to seek campus‑specific licenses for the named facilities.
- Secondary: campus event promoters, student centers, culinary programs, contracted hospitality vendors, and attendees at scheduled campus events.
- Regulatory: the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (administration/issuance of licenses) and marketplace participants (entities selling/holding licenses on the open market).
Fiscal and administrative impact
- Nonpartisan Senate analyses included with the bill indicate no fiscal impact on state or local government. The bill does not create a new revenue stream for the state; it permits reallocation or market purchase of existing licenses. Any administrative costs for the Liquor Control Commission are expected to be minimal and handled within existing resources.
Background / rationale
- Testimony to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee indicated the Commission has denied liquor‑license applications for event centers not explicitly named in statute. This bill is intended to make explicitly available to the listed community college venues the same licensing option other colleges and universities already enjoy.
Procedural notes / next steps
- SB 73 amends MCL 436.1513. It was introduced and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. If it advances from committee, it will be considered on the Senate floor and — if passed — move to the House. Implementation depends on enactment and any effective‑date provision in the final law. The Liquor Control Commission will continue to exercise its regulatory authority under the Code in issuing, monitoring, and enforcing licenses granted under the amended section.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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