Sec. 517a.

(1) The commission may issue national sporting event licenses for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises concerning a national sporting event, if the commission finds all of the following circumstances exist:

(a) The local governmental unit in which the national sporting event is to be conducted is the host governmental unit for the national sporting event.

(b) The premises to be licensed are located in a theme area or theme areas designated by the governing body of the host governmental unit in connection with the national sporting event or are operated in conjunction with the national sporting event.

(c) The commission determines that the national sporting event will attract a substantial number of tourists from outside this state.

(d) The national sporting event is conducted under the auspices of a national sanctioning body.

(e) The applicant is any of the following:

(i) A Michigan licensee for the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption on the premises.

(ii) The promoter of the national sporting event or an affiliate of the promoter.

(iii) A person who has entered into a written concession or catering agreement with the promoter of the national sporting event or its affiliate, which agreement has been approved by the commission.

(iv) An organization qualified for licensure as a special licensee under section 111(13) and the rules of the commission.

(2) A license issued under this section must be for a period of not more than 30 consecutive days and is not transferable as to ownership or location. The license must be for specific designated time periods that include the national sporting event and activities associated with the national sporting event.

(3) Not more than 40 licenses may be issued under this section for use at the same time in a theme area or theme areas.

(4) The governing body of a host governmental unit described in subsection (1) shall supply to the commission for the commission's review a list containing the names of applicants and the locations of the premises to be licensed under this section. The governing body of the host governmental unit shall recommend the number of licenses to be issued under this section in the theme area or theme areas. The commission shall not issue a license under this section that is not recommended by the governing body of the host governmental unit.

(5) The governing body of the host governmental unit shall provide, in conjunction with the list described in subsection (4), written certification to the commission that all premises to be licensed under this section comply with applicable state and local building, safety, and health laws, rules, and regulations.

(6) A license issued under this section is not subject to section 503.

(7) An applicant for a license under this section shall pay to the commission a license fee of $1,000.00 at the time of application.

(8) As used in this section, "national sporting event" means a sports related event considered of national prominence and includes only the following:

(a) The Major League Baseball All-Star Game during calendar year 2005.

(b) The National Football League Super Bowl during calendar year 2006.

(c) The Professional Golfers' Association Championship during calendar year 2008.

(d) The National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four games during calendar year 2009.

(e) The United States Golf Association Amateur Championship during calendar year 2016.

(f) The Professional Golfers' Association Tour Champions Tournament during the following calendar years:

(i) 2018.

(ii) 2019.

(iii) 2020.

(g) The Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour Champions Tournament during the following calendar years:

(i) 2019.

(ii) 2020.

(iii) 2021.

(iv) 2022.

(v) 2023.

History: Add. 2004, Act 170, Imd. Eff. June 24, 2004 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 180, Imd. Eff. June 14, 2016 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 110, Imd. Eff. Apr. 24, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 411, Imd. Eff. Dec. 19, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 472, Imd. Eff. Dec. 27, 2018