AN ACT to provide local governments with the option of allowing certain alcohol sales and advertising.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 18B‑902(d) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(52)    Happy hour permit – $100.00.

SECTION 2.  G.S. 18B‑1001 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:

(24)    Happy Hour Permit. – Subject to the adoption of an ordinance pursuant to G.S. 153A‑145.7A or G.S. 160A‑205.6, a permit under this subdivision may be issued to the holder of an on‑premises malt beverage permit, an on‑premises unfortified wine permit, an on‑premises fortified wine permit, or a mixed beverages permit, located in the county or city that adopted the ordinance. The holder of a permit issued under this subdivision may do any of the following, for any period of time:

a.         Sell an alcoholic beverage at a price that is different from the usual or established price charged for the alcoholic beverage.

b.         Sell more than one alcoholic beverage to a patron for a single price.

c.         Establish a single price based upon the required purchase of more than one alcoholic beverage.

d.         Offer cents off coupons.

e.         Offer a meal and alcoholic beverage at a single total price, whether or not the total price reflects a reduced price of the alcoholic beverage.

f.          Advertise the price and type of alcoholic beverages (i) on outside signage located on the permittee's premises, (ii) via newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media, or (iii) on outside signage located on the permittee's premises and via newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media.

SECTION 3.  Article 6 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 153A‑145.7A.  Allow certain alcohol sales and advertising.

A county may adopt an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a permit under subdivision (24) of G.S. 18B‑1001. The ordinance may not limit or amend the provisions of subdivision (24) of G.S. 18B‑1001.

SECTION 4.  Article 8 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 160A‑205.6.  Allow certain alcohol sales and advertising.

A city may adopt an ordinance authorizing the issuance of a permit under subdivision (24) of G.S. 18B‑1001. The ordinance may not limit or amend the provisions of subdivision (24) of G.S. 18B‑1001.

SECTION 5.  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission shall amend its rules consistent with the provisions of this act. The Commission may use the procedure set forth in G.S. 150B‑21.1 to amend any rules as required under this section.

SECTION 6.  Sections 1 through 4 of this act become effective July 1, 2023. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.