HCS HB 2421 -- KANSAS CITY FESTIVAL DISTRICT LIQUOR SALES

SPONSOR:  Richard (Meiners)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Job Creation and Economic Development by a vote of 7 to 0.

This substitute allows a Kansas City festival district
promotional association to obtain a license to sell intoxicating
liquor and nonintoxicating beer for consumption at the businesses
and common areas within the festival district.  The promotional
association must conduct a public hearing on its plan regarding
the festival and obtain written approval for the event from 75%
of the property owners, business owners, and residents within the
district.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $69,257
in FY 2009, $58,041 in FY 2010, and $59,809 in FY 2011.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow people who
attend festivals in Kansas City to purchase alcohol at one
establishment within the festival's boundary and take it with
them as they walk throughout the festival, from one establishment
to another.  Currently, this can be done only in downtown Kansas
City.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Meiners; Greater
Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; City of Kansas City; and Jon
Engelman, Westport Regional Business League.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say there aren't enough
safeguards to ensure that minors aren't served alcohol or that
enough security is provided.  Alcohol abuse is the primary
contributing factor to drug abuse, domestic violence, and crime
in general.  Closing off streets and allowing alcohol within them
will lead to the street service of alcohol.  The bill does not
require people to drink within an establishment but allows them
to walk outside, on the sidewalks, and in the streets within the
festival's district.  This will lead to people drinking on the
street which could be very problematic.

Testifying against the bill were Cordish Company; Missouri
Baptist Convention, Christian Life Commission; and Missouri
Family Network.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:12 pm