A change made in October 2018 had limited consumption to clubhouses that were licensed to sell alcohol, and prohibited it to be taken onto the golf course or off-premise. A correction was made when the state legislature passed a bill with an emergency clause declaring it was “immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety,” which then only required the governor’s signature.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office announced on April 11 that the governor had signed a bill to let golf courses, marinas and country clubs sell strong beer and wine for on- and off-premises consumption, the Tulsa (Okla.) World reported.
State Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, was the author of the measure, the World reported. Leewright said the legislation would allow those entities to sell the beverages, unopened, for consumption, to close a loophole that was created with alcohol modernization efforts made in the fall of 2018.
Changes that went into effect in October 2018 to change old rules for 3.2 beer, and broaden the availability of stronger beer, limited that consumption to the premises of a clubhouse with a license to sell alcohol, The Oklahoman of Oklahoma City, Okla. reported, and prevented golfers from taking beer or wine on the course.
Sales at clubs, courses and marinas will begin as soon as the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission adopts rules for a special off-premises permit and clubs and courses obtain such a permit, The Oklahoman reported.
The Oklahoma state legislature adopted Leewright’s bill with an emergency clause, declaring it was “immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety,” and that allowed the measure to take effect as soon as it was signed by the governor.
“We are extremely excited about this,” said Brett Robinson, President of the Beer Distributors of Oklahoma. “We look forward to continuing to sell beer to golf courses and marinas and are happy they were able to get this situation resolved. It has been a long time coming.
“This clears up [clubs’] ability to sell wine and beer on the golf courses, and people can sell it for off-premise consumption, as well,” Robinson added.
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