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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri authorizes special liquor licenses for entertainment districts around lakes
Last action · July 13, 2026: Delivered to Secretary of State (G)Sponsors: Jeff Vernetti and 2 others
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What This Bill Does
Missouri allows qualified establishments in qualifying lake-bordered entertainment districts to obtain a $300 annual special license to sell alcoholic beverages from s and permit patrons to consume drinks in public s until 1:30 a.m.
Qualifying businesses can sell alcohol outside permanent fixtures and allow customers to walk through public s with drinks, while licensees assume sole liability for alcohol violations within those shared zones.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
establishments licensed under chapter 311
Qualified establishments within designated entertainment districts may apply for a special license to operate portable bars, sell alcohol for retail consumption, and allow patrons to carry drinks into public common areas while assuming liability for violations.
supervisor of alcohol and tobacco control
The supervisor is authorized to issue entertainment district special licenses to qualified applicants.
governing body of the city
City governing bodies are authorized to adopt ordinances approving or rejecting entertainment districts and establishing enforcement rules.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an entertainment district under this law?
How much does the special license cost?
Can patrons carry drinks outside into public areas?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
34 actions- Jul 13, 2026HouseDelivered to Secretary of State (G)
- Jul 13, 2026Governor of MissouriEnrolledApproved by Governor (G)
- May 28, 2026Governor of MissouriDelivered to Governor
- May 28, 2026SenateSigned by President Pro Tem (S)
- May 28, 2026HouseSigned by House Speaker (H)
- May 12, 2026SenateSenate Message (S)
Show 28 earlier actions
- May 12, 2026HouseTruly Agreed To and Finally Passed
- May 12, 2026SenateTaken Up for Third Reading (S)
- May 7, 2026HousePlaced on Informal Calendar
- Apr 16, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Do Pass (S)
- Apr 7, 2026SenateCommitteeVoted Do Pass (S)
- Apr 7, 2026SenateExecutive Session Held (S)
- Mar 30, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Held (S)
- Mar 26, 2026SenatePublic Hearing Scheduled (S)
- Mar 23, 2026SenateCommitteeSecond read and referred: Local Government, Elections and Pensions(S)
- Mar 9, 2026SenateReported to the Senate and First Read (S)
- Mar 9, 2026HouseFloorThird Read and Passed (H)
- Mar 9, 2026HouseTaken Up for Third Reading (H)
- Mar 4, 2026HousePerfected (H)
- Mar 4, 2026HouseHCS Adopted (H)
- Mar 4, 2026HouseTitle of Bill - Agreed To
- Mar 4, 2026HouseTaken Up for Perfection (H)
- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 26, 2026HouseCommitteeVoted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 26, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 19, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Rules - Administrative(H)
- Feb 19, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass (H)
- Feb 18, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass (H)
- Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
- Feb 5, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Commerce(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 1, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Expanded Open Container and Portable Bar Privileges
The legislation introduces a localized exception allowing open-container pedestrian movement and portable bar sales within qualifying lake-adjacent municipal entertainment districts.
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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