A Dover legislator wants to extend the last call for alcohol for another hour.
Rep. Darryl Scott is sponsoring legislation that extend closing to 2 a.m.
House Bill 216 would also require an additional special license to sell alcohol after 1 a.m. At a cost of $1,000 for small venues and $5,000 for large establishments.
Nearby Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland all have a last call of 2 a.m., while New York stops at 4 a.m.
Scott said states that can serve drinks later puts Delaware bars, clubs and casinos at a competitive disadvantage.
“Delaware is a small enough state that bar and club patrons can choose to drive just a few miles over the state line and stay out an hour later. Our casinos already have to compete with facilities in neighboring states that can serve alcohol an hour later, which might factor into people’s decision about where to go,” said Scott, D-Dover. “This bill will bring Delaware in line with its surrounding states and level the playing field for businesses.
Scott noted that statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that despite an earlier last call, Delaware’s alcohol-impaired driving fatalities for 2007-10 are higher than the national average and higher than Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
HB 216 has been assigned to the House Economic Development, Banking, Insurance & Commerce Committee. Rep. Scott hopes the bill will be considered when the session resumes in January.
