For Michigan bar-goers, “last call” may soon take them even further into the night than 2 a.m.

 

On Oct. 8, Michigan House Appropriations Committee voted on House Bill 5056 that would allow bars to purchase a $1,500 “late night” permit to sell alcohol until 4 a.m.

 

The bill was passed on a partisan vote, with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans against.

 

Also included in the bill is a $1,500 Sunday morning permit, which would change the time for Sunday liquor sales from noon to 7 a.m.

 

Funds generated from the bill would go toward the Michigan budget deficit.

 

State Representative Richard Hammel, D-Genesee County, who introduced the bill, believes that it is a necessary step that will allow Detroit and other Michigan entertainment districts to compete with other hot-spot metropolises across the country.

 

“You look at cities like Chicago and New York, where it is already possible, and people flock there. This would allow entertainment cities in Michigan to compete,” said Hammel.

 

He also believes that an important part of the bill focuses on local control, having a detailed clause which allows municipalities to decide whether or not they want to sell both “late night” permits and “Sunday morning” permits.

 

“I would never try to railroad someone into this. Like in anything, there are good players and bad players and there needs to be local control,” said Hammel.

 

The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, that represents a few thousand bars and restaurants in Michigan, supports the concept of extended hours, however the MLBA supports the concept that the current verbiage of the bill still needs tweaking.

 

“I don’t know how many retailers would actually purchase the license. We think the fee for the permit is too high,” said Lance Binoniemi, executive director of the MLBA.

 

“We also do not feel that local governments, if they allow the permits, should not be able to pick and choose which bars and establishments would be allowed to purchase the permits,” said Binoniemi.

 

The Rochester Police Department worries that this bill could create problems for local law enforcement officers.

 

Rochester Chief of police Steve Schettenhelm is “generally against” the practice of extended hours.

 

“The hours as they are now put those people going home at an hour when we’re not mixing bar traffic and rush hour traffic,” said Schettenhelm, “we currently have a shift until 3 a.m. and we would have to look at carrying that shift into the night, which would potentially tax our manpower.”

 

Schettenhelm also believes it is too uncertain to be considered a way to put money in the state budget, being that the bill is voluntary.

 

Oakland University Police Department did not have an opinion on the bill.

 

In order to become law, the bill needs to be voted through the Michigan House of Representatives and the Senate. It is currently awaiting review from the House.