Sharing your contact info to get a drink at a food-less bar? NC law seeks to overhaul requirement

North Carolina lawmakers advanced a measure on Monday that would ease several regulations on bar owners.

If approved on the floor of the Senate and then passed by the House, customers who go to bars that don’t serve food would no longer have to hand over their contact information to the business. State law currently requires patrons of such private bars to become “members” to drink there, forcing them to disclose their contact information.

House Bill 768 would create a 60-day transition period for owners permitted by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission to sell alcohol to transfer their permit if there is a change in ownership. It also would let some community colleges that host professional sporting events sell alcohol.

Bar owners push to change antiquated alcohol laws, which they say invade privacy

Tiffany Howell, the association’s co-founder and executive director, said she hopes the legislature “removes the outdated and restrictive membership requirements for private bars to help get NC in line with other states.”

HB 768 cleared the state Senate Rules Committee and now advances to a floor vote. It would then go to the House. If the measure clears all legislative chambers, it would take immediate effect immediately if Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signs it.

NC budget, state-employee raises, sports betting unresolved as legislature nears adjournment

Lawmakers this year have expressed interest in a number of legislative priorities, including Medicaid expansion, marijuana legalization and online sports betting. But those efforts have stalled.