Require Free Water in Bars.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Maria Cervania and 6 co-sponsors

On-premises permittees must provide free potable water to customers during hours alcohol can be sold.

Passed 1st Reading

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Purpose and Intent

HB 1196, introduced by Representative Greenfield, would require on-premises licensees holding certain alcohol-related permits to provide drinking water at no charge to any customer on the licensed premises who requests it. The bill aims to ensure access to potable water within bars and similar establishments during hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold.

Key Provisions and Changes

Statutory Change: Adds a new subsection (t) to G.S. 18B-1006 establishing an affirmative duty for on-premises permittees to furnish water without charge.

Applies to:
On-premises malt beverage permit
On-premises unfortified wine permit
On-premises fortified wine permit
Mixed beverages permit under G.S. 18B-1001
Water provisioning rules:
Water must be potable and meet all federal and state purity requirements.
Water must be supplied in a receptacle suitable for individual consumption of at least 6 fluid ounces per serving.
Time frame: Water must be furnished during the hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold under G.S. 18B-1004.
Definition of “customer”: Includes anyone who pays to enter the premises, buys an alcoholic beverage or other product, or pays to enter and purchases products.

Public Information and Compliance Materials:

Authorized appropriation of $15,000 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2025-2026 to the Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement (Department of Public Safety).
Purpose: Produce and place informational posters about the water requirement (G.S. 18B-1006(t)).
Distribution and Display: Posters distributed to affected permittees, who must prominently display them on licensed premises in a conspicuous location accessible to customers.

Effective Dates:

Section 2 (poster funding and display requirement) is retroactive to July 1, 2025. The remainder of the act becomes effective upon becoming law and applies to requests for water beginning on that date.

Who Is Affected

Primary: On-premises permit holders for:

Malt beverages
Unfortified wine
Fortified wine
Mixed beverages

Patrons consuming alcohol on these licensed premises, who may request water without charge.

The Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement (DLE) within the Department of Public Safety, for administration, compliance, and poster distribution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Retroactive Provision: The water-awareness poster requirement is retroactive to July 1, 2025.

Current vs. Future Application: The water-for-free requirement applies to requests made when alcohol may be sold under existing statutory authority (G.S. 18B-1004) and applies on an ongoing basis during those hours.

Funding Timing: The $15,000 for posters is a one-time, nonrecurring allocation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Practical Impact

Bars and related establishments would need to train staff to provide free potable water to customers upon request during permitted alcohol sale hours.

Establishments must ensure water is served in appropriate 6-ounce or larger servings and meets purity standards.

Public awareness will be raised via mandatory poster displays, helping customers understand their entitlement and encouraging compliance.

Potential minor cost considerations for permittees related to providing water (though no charge is allowed), and for the DLE in producing/displaying posters.

Bill