178:31 Wine and Liquor Festival Licenses. –
I. The commission may issue a supplemental wine festival license, or a supplemental liquor festival license, to the holder of a wine manufacturer license or a liquor manufacturer license. The commission may also issue a wine or liquor festival license to a responsible person representing a voluntary nonprofit group or such group's designee. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the holder of a license under this section shall be allowed to organize, advertise, and hold an event not exceeding 3 days in length, promoting the products of the beverage industry. The provisions of RSA 178:22, I, III, and IV shall apply to any license issued under this section. The sales and services of alcoholic beverages shall be in a clearly defined area. Applications for a license under this section shall be filed with the commission 15 working days before the date on which the license is needed.
II. For purposes of regulation, any person issued a license under paragraph I shall be subject to all applicable statutory provisions and rules adopted under this title, except as directed by this section. Any violations committed by a supplemental licensee shall be considered violations against the applicant's annual or seasonal license.
III. No alcohol other than wine shall be served at a wine festival and no alcohol other than liquor shall be served at a liquor festival under this section.
IV. (a) No license shall be issued under paragraph I unless the applicant obtains:
(1) Official approval of the chief of the local fire department as to the safety of the location; and
(2) Official approval of the local health department concerning sanitary conditions; and
(3) Official approval of the local police department as to the accessibility and public safety of the location and the event.
(b) Written statements from such officials shall accompany the application for a license issued under paragraph I. The selectmen, city council, city manager, or town administrator may at their discretion, assign police officers to the location of the event where alcoholic beverages are served.
V. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission or its investigators may suspend, without warning, any license issued under paragraph I, if in their opinion, such continued sale or service of alcoholic beverages is contrary to the public interest.
Source. 2011, 165:3, eff. Aug. 13, 2011. 2018, 197:2, eff. Aug. 7, 2018.