Rating: +1
Bill Summary:
House Bill 330 amends Idaho Code to expand eligibility for beer and wine licenses in movie theaters, live performance venues, and historic theaters. Under existing law, only theaters with licenses active before January 1, 2006, or before July 1, 2025, and certain historic theaters are allowed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption. This bill removes the arbitrary cut-off dates and allows newer establishments to apply for licenses under the same standards, creating parity among theater businesses.
The bill retains important safeguards, including prohibitions against showing obscene or indecent content as defined in Idaho Code Title 18. It also maintains all existing state alcohol regulations and includes an emergency clause to allow the law to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Reason for Rating:
House Bill 330 promotes free-market fairness by removing outdated licensing restrictions that gave an unfair advantage to select theaters while blocking others from competing. It supports small business development and property rights by allowing theater and performance venue owners to offer additional services without undue government interference.
By trusting businesses to operate responsibly within Idaho’s existing alcohol laws, and consumers to choose where they spend their money, this bill reflects the Idaho Republican Party Platform’s principles of economic liberty, deregulation, personal responsibility, and limited government. It does not expand government power but rather removes arbitrary barriers to lawful enterprise. For these reasons, House Bill 330 is appropriately rated at +1.