§284. Procedure for determination to issue or withhold permit

The right to determine what persons shall or shall not be licensed under this Chapter shall be exercised in the following manner:

A. Municipal authorities and parish governing authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, shall investigate all applications filed with them for local permits and shall withhold the issuance of a permit where that action is justified under the provisions of this Chapter. This action may be taken without a prior hearing. The decision to withhold a local permit shall be made within thirty-five calendar days of the filing of an application. Within that period, the withholding authority shall notify the commissioner in writing that it is withholding the permit and shall give the reasons therefor. Upon receipt of this notice, supported by reasons enumerated in or authorized by this Chapter, the commissioner shall withhold the issuance of the applicant's state permit. Within five calendar days after the receipt of this notice from the local authorities, the commissioner shall notify the applicant in writing of the withholding of the permits and shall assign reasons therefor. Such notice shall be either delivered to the applicant in person or sent to him by registered mail at the address given in his last application for a state permit. When so addressed and mailed, it shall be conclusively presumed to have been received by the applicant.

B. The commissioner shall investigate all applications for state permits and shall withhold the issuance of a permit where that action is justified under the provisions of this Chapter. This action may be taken without a prior hearing except as provided in R.S. 26:80(F) and 280(F). The decision to withhold a state permit shall be made within thirty-five calendar days of the filing of an application. Within that period of time, the commissioner shall notify in writing the municipal authorities or parish governing authority, as the case may be, where the applicant has or was to have his place of business and shall specify the reasons for withholding the issuance of the state permit. Upon receipt of this notice, the municipal authorities or the parish governing authority shall withhold the issuance of the local permit. Within five calendar days of mailing the notice of withholding to the local authorities, the commissioner shall notify the applicant in writing of the withholding of the permit and shall assign reasons therefor. Such notice shall be either delivered to the applicant in person or sent to him by certified mail at the mailing address given in his last application for a state permit. When so addressed and mailed, it shall be conclusively presumed to have been received by the applicant.

C. Any citizen who has, for at least six months prior thereto, resided in the parish wherein the proposed place of business of an applicant for a permit is situated, or any public official or state or local law enforcement officer may oppose the issuance of permits by filing with the proper local authorities or with the commissioner a sworn petition of opposition. If this petition is filed, the local authorities, within thirty-five calendar days of the filing of the application for a local permit, shall withhold the issuance of the local permit and immediately notify the commissioner of the action, enclosing the petition of opposition and any supporting documents. Upon receipt of this notice, the commissioner shall withhold the issuance of the state permit. If the petition is filed with the commissioner, he shall withhold the issuance of the state permit and immediately notify the proper local authority. The local authority thus notified shall withhold issuance of the local permit. The commissioner shall hold a hearing on the petition and determine the issue in the manner provided in this Part.

D. Any trade organization consisting of brewers and distributors of beverages of low alcoholic content, through its authorized representative, may oppose the issuance of permits by filing with the proper local authorities or with the commissioner a sworn petition of opposition. If this petition is filed the local authorities, within thirty-five calendar days of the filing of the application for a local permit, shall withhold the issuance of the local permit and immediately notify the commissioner of the action, enclosing the petition of opposition and any supporting documents. Upon receipt of this notice, the commissioner shall withhold the issuance of the state permit. If the petition is filed with the commissioner, he shall withhold the issuance of the state permit and immediately notify the proper local authority. The local authority thus notified shall withhold issuance of the local permit. The commissioner shall hold a hearing on the petition and determine the issue in the manner provided in this Part.

E. No petition of opposition shall be acted upon by the commissioner or the local authorities unless it is sworn to by the petitioner in an affidavit which also affirms that the petitioner together with witnesses, if any, will appear at the hearing to establish the allegations of the petition and unless the petitioner sets forth facts constituting a cause or causes enumerated in or authorized by this Chapter for the withholding of a permit.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 61, §1; Acts 1985, No. 508, §1, eff. July 12, 1985; Acts 1987, No. 696, §1; Acts 2014, No. 69, §1, eff. May 16, 2014.