Bill would allow capped alcohol permits for transit district restaurants

The commission could issue new three-way permits without applying the usual permit quota. An applicant must own or lease a restaurant located in a transit development district. The municipality's legislative body and the regional authority board must agree in writing on the maximum number of permits.

Permit ownership and the location for which a permit was issued could not be transferred. These rules apply to permits issued under the transit development district chapter. If the permit returns to the commission, the permit holder would receive no refund or other compensation. The permit returns if business operations at the site cease for more than six months.

The municipality's legislative body and the regional authority board must set the permit maximum in a written agreement. The agreement sets the maximum number of permits issued under this chapter within the district. The commission may issue a replacement permit after a permit is revoked or not renewed only if the total active permits remain within the agreed maximum. A new written agreement may raise or lower the maximum, but it cannot lower the cap below the number of active permits. The cap cannot be increased or reduced for four years after the written agreement is signed.