SB 23-171

Senate Bill 23-171, known as the "Large Entertainment Facility Substance-free Seating Requirement," mandates that large entertainment venues with at least 7,000 seats set aside and enforce a minimum of 4% substance-free seating. This means these areas will prohibit alcohol, electronic smoking devices, marijuana, and tobacco. The bill ensures that this designated seating includes accessible options for people with disabilities and cannot be placed in less desirable locations within the venue. If venues fail to comply, they could face consequences like having their alcohol license renewal denied or fined by the state. This bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now enforceable.

Official Summary

Section 1 of the bill requires an entertainment facility with a seating capacity of 7,000 seats or more to designate and enforce at least 4% of its seating capacity as substance-free seating. Substance-free seating is defined as seating where the use of alcohol, electronic smoking devices, marijuana, and tobacco (prohibited substances) is banned. Substance-free seating must include seats that are accessible to persons with disabilities and cannot be limited exclusively to seats that are higher than or farther away from the sport or entertainment activity relative to the majority of seats at the facility. Written policies and procedures, including those that enforce the ban on prohibited substances, are required. Signs regarding the ban must be prominently displayed in and around the substance-free seating sections. Failure by an entertainment facility to comply with the requirement for designating and enforcing 4% or more substance-free seating is deemed "good cause" for refusal or denial of an alcohol beverage license renewal or initial license issuance by the state licensing authority as part of the existing regulatory scheme for such licenses. Failure to comply is also a basis for other license-related discipline, including suspension, revocation, or fine. Sections 2 and 3 make conforming amendments to the statutory scheme for regulation of smoking. Section 4 makes conforming amendments to the statutory scheme for regulation of alcohol.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

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