(A) In addition to the permits authorized pursuant to the provisions of this article, the department also may issue a biennial permit to the owner, or his designee, of a motorsports entertainment complex, tennis specific complex, soccer complex, or baseball complex located in this State, which authorizes the purchase and sale for on-premises consumption of beer and wine at any occasion held on the grounds of the complex year round on any day of the week. The nonrefundable filing fee and the fees for the motorsports, tennis complex, soccer complex, or baseball complex biennial permit are the same as for other biennial permits for on-premises consumption of beer and wine, with the revenue therefrom used for the purposes provided in Section 61-4-510. Notwithstanding another provision of this article, the issuance of this permit authorizes the permit holder to purchase beer and wine from licensed wholesalers in the same manner that a person with appropriate licenses issued pursuant to this title purchases beer and wine from licensed wholesalers. The department in its discretion may specify the terms and conditions of the permit, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4, Title 61, and other applicable provisions under Title 61.

(B) The department may require such proof of qualifications for the issuance of these permits as it considers necessary, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 4, Title 61, and these permits may be issued whether or not the motorsports entertainment complex, tennis specific complex, soccer complex, or baseball complex is located in a county or municipality which pursuant to Section 61-6-2010 successfully has held a referendum allowing the possession, sale, and consumption of beer or wine or alcoholic liquors by the drink for a period not to exceed twenty-four hours.

(C) The owner or designee of the motorsports entertainment complex, the tennis specific complex, the soccer complex, or the baseball complex may designate particular areas within the complex where patrons of events who have paid an admission price to attend or guests who are attending private functions at the complex, whether or not a charge for attendance is made, may possess and consume beer and wine provided at their own expense or at the expense of the sponsor of the private function.

(D) For purposes of this section:

(1) "Motorsports entertainment" has the same meaning as provided in Section 12-21-2425.

(2) "Tennis specific complex" means a tennis facility, and its ancillary grounds and facilities, which satisfies all of the following:

(a) has at least ten thousand fixed seats for tennis patrons;

(b) hosted one Women's Tennis Association Premier tournament in 2013 and continues to host at least one Women's Tennis Association Premier tournament in each year, or any successor Women's Tennis Association tournament; and

(c) engages in tourism promotion.

(3) "Baseball complex" means a baseball stadium, and its ancillary grounds and facilities, that hosts a professional league baseball team.

(4) "Soccer complex" means a soccer facility, along with its ancillary grounds and facilities, that hosts a professional league soccer team.

HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 199 (H.3626), Section 1, eff June 2, 2014; 2017 Act No. 33 (S.334), Section 1, eff May 10, 2017; 2018 Act No. 236 (H.3139), Section 1, eff May 17, 2018.

Effect of Amendment

2017 Act No. 33, Section 1, inserted ", or baseball complex" in four places; in (D), added (3), relating to the definition of "baseball complex"; and made nonsubstantive changes.

2018 Act No. 236, Section 1, in (A), in the first and second sentences, inserted "soccer complex,"; in (B), inserted "soccer complex," following "tennis specific complex,"; in (C), inserted "the soccer complex," following "tennis specific complex,"; and in (D), in (3), substituted "and its" for "along with its" and "professional league baseball team" for "professional minor league baseball team", and added (4), relating to the definition of "soccer complex".