New York Senate Bill S08314

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/2/25
• Refer: 6/2/25

Caption

Allows the state liquor authority to issue a retail license for on-premises consumption for a premises which shall be located within two hundred feet of a building occupied as a church, synagogue or other place of worship.

Summary

S08314 amends New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to create a narrow exception to the state’s 200-foot rule for liquor licenses near houses of worship. Under current law, the State Liquor Authority generally cannot issue an on-premises retail liquor license for a premises located within 200 feet of a church, synagogue, or other place of worship. This bill would allow that kind of license for a specifically identified premises in Brooklyn, Kings County, at 2192-92A Flatbush Avenue, if the premises is used for the retail sale of food or beverages for consumption on site. The measure is highly site-specific and functions as a special local law for one exact parcel of property in Brooklyn. It does not broadly change licensing standards statewide, but instead carves out an exception from the proximity restriction for this single location. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.

Impact

The bill would amend section 64 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by adding a new paragraph authorizing the State Liquor Authority to issue an on-premises retail liquor license within 200 feet of a place of worship for one designated premises in Brooklyn. As a result, the usual statutory distance restriction would not apply to that parcel, while the broader 200-foot rule would remain in place for other applicants statewide. The practical effect is to make a liquor license legally available for a specific restaurant or food/beverage establishment at 2192-92A Flatbush Avenue.

Sentiment

There is little recorded public or legislative debate in the available materials, and no committee transcript or vote history is provided. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears technical and narrowly tailored rather than controversial in a broad policy sense. The absence of recorded opposition or amendments suggests the bill may have been treated as a local licensing accommodation rather than a major policy change.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the exception to the long-standing buffer protecting churches, synagogues, and other places of worship from nearby liquor licenses. Supporters would likely view the bill as a targeted economic or land-use accommodation for a specific business site, while opponents could argue that it weakens a religious-proximity safeguard and sets a precedent for special exceptions. Because the bill is limited to one exact Brooklyn property, any disagreement would likely center on whether a site-specific waiver is appropriate rather than on the general licensing framework.