SB 2143 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; revise definition of "qualified resort area."

SB 2143 modifies Mississippi's alcohol permit rules by removing automatic disqualification for certain felony convictions. It now allows the Department of Revenue to approve permits for individuals with non-violent felonies or drug offenses after 10 years, rather than blocking them automatically. The bill also revises the definition of "qualified resort area" but does not specify the change in the provided text. This law was signed by the governor on April 10, 2025, and applies to new permit applications.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Apr 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Apr 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Mississippi's alcohol control laws to modernize definitions of qualified resort areas and relax felony disqualification rules for alcohol permit applicants. It adds new resort area designations, clarifies definitions for craft spirits and distilleries, and introduces exceptions for non-violent felonies older than 10 years.

Scope change

Expanded the scope of qualified resort areas by adding new municipalities and facilities, while also modifying the scope of permit eligibility to include certain individuals with older felony convictions.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'craft spirit' and 'craft distillery' to recognize Mississippi-produced alcoholic beverages made at state-licensed facilities.

Modified the definition of 'alcoholic beverage' to include 'craft spirits' alongside native wines and native spirits.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified felony disqualification rules to allow individuals with non-violent felony convictions (other than drug crimes) to qualify for permits if 10 years have passed since conviction.

Added new exception for managers with non-violent felony convictions if released from incarceration at least 3 years prior to application.

SCOPE

Added numerous new qualified resort area designations including specific municipalities, facilities, and land parcels throughout Mississippi.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 67-1-5 to reference amendments from House Bill 1284, indicating legislative coordination between concurrent bills.

Modified the list of municipalities and counties that may designate qualified resort areas by adding new items and renumbering existing items.

As Introduced → As Passed the upper · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill substantially redefines 'qualified resort areas' in Mississippi to expand where alcoholic beverages can be sold. It replaces a single, narrow definition with dozens of new specific locations, facilities, and municipalities that qualify, including state parks, golf courses, event venues, and specific geographic areas. The changes significantly broaden the scope of where alcohol sales are permitted under Mississippi's local option alcohol beverage control law.

Scope change

The bill dramatically expands the scope of qualified resort areas from a general definition based on tourist attractions to a comprehensive list of 90+ specific locations, facilities, and municipalities throughout Mississippi, including state parks, golf courses, event venues, and specific geographic areas.

DEFINITION

Added a new comprehensive list of 90+ specific locations, facilities, and municipalities that qualify as 'qualified resort areas,' including state parks, golf courses, event venues, and specific geographic areas throughout Mississippi.

Modified the definition of 'qualified resort area' from a general tourist attraction standard to a specific list-based approach that includes many new facility types and geographic locations.

Added definitions for new terms including 'native wine,' 'native winery,' 'native spirit,' 'native distillery,' 'spa facility,' 'art studio or gallery,' 'cooking school,' 'campus,' and 'warehouse operator' to clarify alcohol beverage control regulations.

ELIGIBILITY

Established new eligibility criteria for various facility types, including specific acreage requirements, square footage thresholds, and operational requirements for restaurants, hotels, and event venues.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions allowing local governing authorities to specify hours of operation, revenue requirements for meal service, and designate specific areas where alcohol sales may occur within qualified resort areas.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the new provisions to July 1, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2025 · House Mar 11, 2025

How they voted

45–6

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 6, 2025

D Democratic16

15 Yea 1 Nay

93% Yea

R Republican35

30 Yea 5 Nay

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 10, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Referred To State Affairs;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred To Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors