Democratic State Sens. Jeff Irvin and Mallory McMorrow have introduced a bill that would allow restaurants and bars that serve food to also serve alcohol in an adjacent commons area shared by other establishments, and also offer curbside pickup of alcohol.
Senate Bill 939 would make Michigan the 12th state that lets local governments designate open outside areas where bars and restaurants may serve alcohol, according to a press release. The outdoor areas would be deemed a "social district" and adjacent establishment could serve drinks there for an annual $300 licensing fee.
House Bill 5781 was also introduced in the House of Representative do the same thing, sponsored by Rep. Michael Webber and a bipartisan group of 16 other lawmakers.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.