Sec. 547.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Private event" means an event where no consideration, as defined in section 913, is paid by the guests.

(b) "Catering permit" means a permit issued by the commission to a specially designated distributor, specially designated merchant, or holder of a public on-premises license for the sale of beer, wine, or spirits, or any combination thereof, that is also licensed as a food service establishment or retail food establishment under the food law of 2000, 2000 PA 92, MCL 289.1101 to 289.8111, which permit authorizes the permit holder to sell and deliver beer, wine, and spirits in the original sealed container to a person for off-premises consumption but only if the sale is not by the glass or drink and the permit holder serves the beer, wine, or spirits. The permit does not allow the permit holder to deliver, but not serve, the beer, wine, or spirits.

(2) Spirits sold by a specially designated distributor, specially designated merchant, or on-premises licensee under a catering permit shall not be sold at less than the minimum retail selling price fixed by the commission, including under rules promulgated by the commission for specially designated distributors under section 229.

(3) The commission may issue a catering permit to a specially designated distributor, specially designated merchant, or public on-premises licensee, as a supplement to that license, to allow the sale and delivery of beer, wine, or spirits in the original sealed container at locations other than the licensed premises and to require the catering permit holder to serve beer, wine, or spirits at the private event where the alcoholic liquor is not resold to guests. The commission shall not issue a catering permit to an applicant who delivers beer, wine, or spirits but does not serve the beer, wine, or spirits.

(4) This section does not limit the number of catering permits the commission may issue within any local unit of government.

(5) This section does not prevent a catering permit holder from using the catering permit at multiple locations and events during the same time period.

(6) This section does not prohibit a catering permit holder from selling beer, wine, or spirits to a person who has obtained a special license if that catering permit holder serves the beer, wine, or spirits and complies with all catering permit rules promulgated by the commission.

(7) An applicant for a catering permit shall apply on a form approved and provided by the commission and pay an application and processing fee of $70.00 and a catering permit fee of $100.00 on the issuance of the catering permit. The applicant shall also pay the catering permit fee on renewal of the specially designated distributor, specially designated merchant, or on-premises licensee.

(8) The person delivering the beer, wine, or spirits under a catering permit shall verify that the individual accepting delivery is at least 21 years of age. The catering permit holder may utilize a third party that provides delivery service to municipalities in this state that are surrounded by water and inaccessible by motor vehicle to deliver beer, wine, or spirits to the designated location of the private event if the delivery service is approved by the commission and agrees to verify that the individual accepting delivery of the beer, wine, or spirits is at least 21 years of age.

(9) A catering permit holder providing the service, or an employee of the catering permit holder, shall successfully complete a server training program approved by the commission before providing the service.

(10) A catering permit holder delivering the beer, wine, or spirits, or an employee of the catering permit holder, shall have in his or her possession while delivering the beer, wine, or spirits documentation demonstrating that the beer, wine, or spirits being delivered are for a private event being conducted under this section.

(11) A catering permit holder who prepares food or drink for direct consumption through service on the premises or elsewhere shall comply with the requirements for food service establishments under the food law of 2000, 2000 PA 92, MCL 289.1101 to 289.8111.

(12) A catering permit holder is subject to all sanctions, liabilities, and penalties provided under this act or under law.

History: Add. 2011, Act 20, Imd. Eff. Apr. 20, 2011