HB 5425 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING RAILWAYS AND ALCOHOLIC LIQUOR.

HB 5425 revises rules for cafe permits allowing the sale of alcoholic liquor in Connecticut. It permits cafes to meet food availability requirements using food from outside vendors (including delivery), allows outdoor alcohol service in screened or unscreened areas (per fire/zoning rules), and authorizes limited off-premises sales of draught beer (max 4 liters/day) during package store hours. The bill sets a $2,000 annual fee for standard cafe permits, but reduces fees to $200 for railway businesses and offers phased rates for former tavern permit holders. Effective July 1, 2025, this law directly affects cafes serving alcohol and railway operations seeking permit exemptions.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Jun 23, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Proposed Bill → Committee Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly expanded from a narrow focus on heritage railroad liquor permits to a comprehensive alcohol control framework. The Committee Bill adds extensive definitions for alcohol-related terms, expands the scope beyond railroads to include various alcohol types and business entities, and restructures the statutory language for clarity and future amendments.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely permitting heritage railroads to sell alcohol to establishing a broader regulatory framework covering multiple alcohol categories and business types.

SCOPE

Title changed from 'Liquor Permits Issued to Heritage Railroads' to 'Heritage Railways and Alcoholic Liquor', indicating broader legislative intent beyond just railroads.

DEFINITION

Added 20 new definitions covering alcohol, alcoholic beverages, airlines, boats, business entities, clubs, coliseums, heritage railways, mead, minors, nonprofit clubs, proprietors, and restaurants.

REQUIREMENT

Established specific case quantity requirements for alcoholic liquor packaging with detailed bottle size specifications and authorization limits for commissioners.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of July 1, 2025, for the new section 30-1 of the general statutes.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the specific heritage railroad permit fee structure (one-hundred-dollar for six-month, two-hundred-dollar for annual) from the main purpose statement.

TECHNICAL

Added extensive formatting changes including page numbering updates (1 of 1 to 1 of 23) and committee bill designation.

Floor votes · Senate May 30, 2025 · House May 22, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed

Total votes 36

May 30, 2025

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

11 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 23, 2025

Signed into law

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

lower

May 30, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (36-0)

senate

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED HO. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

HOUSE PASSED, HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

May 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

HOUSE ADOPTED HOUSE AMEND. SCH. A

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

7 primary · 0 co-sponsors