Michigan is One Step Closer to 4 A.M. Bar Closures
On Thursday, the Michigan House approved a bill that would allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. It passed with a vote of 61-47, reports The Detroit News.
This isn't the first time lawmakers have tried to make this happen, but to no avail. However, with the pandemic and the losses restaurants and bars have taken, legislators feel this would help them financially recover.
If this bill becomes law it would allow
a city, village or township to push bar closures to 4 a.m. by adopting a resolution.
However, if a bar does want to stay open until 4 a.m. they will first have to get approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to get a late-night permit.
Economy ambassador for the City of Detroit told The Detroit News that he thinks this would be a positive move for the state because more people out and about at later times could reduce overnight crime.
In a post-pandemic world, it means a lot to these businesses to have these extra hours not only to survive but to strive.
On the other hand, the Michigan Sheriffs' Association is worried that they could see an increase of drunk drivers -- people leaving one town where a bar closes at 2 a.m. to drive to another city where bars close at 4 a.m.
The Senate still has to approve the bill, and if passed, it will go to Governor Whitmer's desk for signature. Even if everything goes through, the law won't be enacted until the pandemic is over.