The Kansas Legislature today sent SB14, an extension of HB 2016, which includes allowing cocktails to-go from restaurants and bars, to Governor Laura Kelly’s desk for signature.
“Cocktails to-go has been an economic lifeline for Kansas hospitality businesses over the last several months,” said Kristi Brown, Distilled Council Senior Director of State Government Relations. “The impacts of this pandemic on restaurants and bars will last well into the future, and the continuation of cocktails to-go will provide much-needed stability for these businesses. We urge Governor Kelly to sign this bill and look forward to working with the legislature on a permanent cocktails to-go measure in the coming weeks.”
Governor Laura Kelly originally signed HB 2016 in June 2020 to extend the sale of cocktails to-go under Executive Order No. 20-27. That bill was set to expire on January 26, 2021.
Background:
Currently, more than 30 states plus the District of Columbia are allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go, bottled spirits to-go or both. Iowa and Ohio have both made cocktails to-go permanent, and other states, including Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and the District of Columbia, are considering doing the same.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.