McColley Announces Bipartisan Bill to Repeal Curfew of Alcohol Sales, Providing Ohio's Restaurants and Bars with Additional Flexibility to Keep Their Doors Open

COLUMBUS—State Senator Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) today announced the introduction of Senate Bill 374 earlier this week, which would provide relief to Ohio’s restaurants and bars by repealing the Ohio Liquor Control Commission’s Emergency Rule of July 31, 2020. The rule bans the sale of alcohol past 10 p.m. and the consumption of alcohol past 11 p.m. “Our restaurants are part of the fabric of our communities, and the Governor’s orders are driving them into bankruptcy and permanent closure," McColley said. "It’s long past time that we remove the boot of government off the neck of our restaurant industry and give these small business owners a chance to survive.” According to a recent survey by the Ohio Restaurant Association, more than half of all Ohio restaurants anticipate being forced to close down if current restrictions continue. Over 80 percent of such businesses anticipate being unable to break even for the year, and many have already been forced to permanently close.

Senate Bill 374 will protect the existing property and statutory rights of Ohio’s establishments that hold liquor permits, which permit them to conduct sales within the time frames already laid out in the Ohio Revised Code (Section 4303). The bill will also prevent any disciplinary actions resulting from a permit holder’s alleged violation of the July 31 rule, provided that the business otherwise operates in compliance with their liquor permit.

Senate Bill 374 has strong bipartisan support with 22 state senators signed on as co-sponsors. A copy of the bill can be found at legislature.ohio.gov.