You Have Questions, We Have Answers!

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) takes much pride in keeping bar and restaurant owners up to date with new changes in law, as well as answering any questions that come along the way as a business owner.  Below you will see most recent commonly asked questions from the MLCC.  We know others might have the same questions, as we have had similar questions asked of our Government Relations team as well.

Question: What does a Special License allow?
 
Answer: A Special License is a contract between the Commission and the special licensee (only a nonprofit organization) granting authority to sell beer, wine, mixed spirit drink, or spirits at retail for consumption on the premises only for a limited period of time. A Special License is good for one day. An organization can obtain up to twelve (12) Special Licenses per year after completing the Special License Application and receiving approval from the Commission. All profits derived from the sale of alcoholic liquor must go to the organization itself and not to any individual.

Note: Local law enforcement approval is required for a Special License – and the Commission requires at least ten (10) working days to process the Special License Application.
 
Question: Does someone need, or can they get, a Special License for a private affair at a banquet hall?

Answer: The only type of Special License available is for bona fide nonprofit organizations such as Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, etc. Normally, if someone is having a function at a banquet hall, such as a wedding reception, and the host and/or guests are supplying the food and alcoholic beverages and there are no charges of any kind including any entry fee or donation, no type of liquor license is available or required. It is, however, recommended that those who contemplate such an activity contact the local law enforcement agency or prosecutor’s office for any additional information, since they have jurisdiction in such matters.

Question: When are the Renewal Applications mailed out?

Answer: Renewal applications are mailed by the middle of March each year, and are sent to the business address, unless a different mailing address is on file.

Question: I just received my license in (a specific month), do I still have to renew my license on May 1st – and are the fees prorated?

Answer: All licenses are effective May 1 through April 30 of every year, regardless of when the license is obtained. Pursuant to MCL 436.1525(2), the fees for the various types of licenses shall not be prorated for a portion of the effective period of the license.

Question:  How long does it take to get my license after my Renewal Application is received at the Liquor Control Commission office?
 
Answer: Depending on the volume of applications received on a particular day, processing may take 2 – 3 business days. In most instances, however, renewal applications are processed the following day and mailed first class (mail delivery to areas outside the major metropolitan areas will take longer).

Note: No licenses are mailed prior to April 1st regardless of when the renewal application is received.

The Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA) and the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) would like to keep you up to date on the most recent activity at our State’s Capitol. Of most recent and of historic magnitude, was the passage of House Bill 4714 that expands Medicaid eligibility to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level. This new law will offer more individuals healthcare under the Medicaid plan. Please read below for a brief description of this legislation.

Facts about Medicaid Expansion
Improving Care, Saving Money

Why expand Medicaid?
The expansion of Medicaid will provide health insurance for those Michiganders who need it most, while saving money and improving care for all of our citizens.

Who will be covered?
Medicaid would be expanded to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level, meaning that those living at or near poverty (about $30,000 per year for a family of four) would receive health care. In total, 320,000 Michiganders will be covered in the first year, 470,000 will be covered by 2021, and Michigan’s uninsured population will drop by about 46%.

What kind of coverage will be provided?
Coverage will include access to primary care doctors, preventative care and routine checkups.

How much will it cost Michigan?
There is no net cost to the state over the next 21 years, and Michigan will save $320 million in uncompensated care costs by 2022 and $206 million in General Fund costs in 2014 alone.

Who will pay for the expansion?
Federal funds will cover 100% of the cost of Medicaid expansion from 2014 to 2016, 95 percent in 2017, 94 percent in 2018, 93 percent in 2019 and 90 percent in 2020 and subsequent years. With the Medicaid expansion, the federal government will cover expenses Michigan pays for today, saving the state $206 million in in General Fund costs in 2014 alone. The proposed budget deposits $103 million of those savings into a new health savings fund to cover Michigan’s future health care liabilities.

Will Michiganders who already have insurance benefit?
Yes. Today, uninsured citizens often turn to emergency rooms for non-urgent care because they don’t have access to primary care doctors — leading to crowded emergency rooms, longer wait times and higher cost. By expanding Medicaid, those without insurance will have access to primary care, lowering costs and improving overall health.

Will businesses benefit?
Yes. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government is mandating that businesses either provide health care to their employees or pay a $2,000-per-employee penalty. By expanding Medicaid, we can provide an affordable option that will help businesses stay open.

MBPA/MFBA sincerely thanks all Michigan legislators for their time and dedication to this very important issue.  

Learn more at Michigan.gov/MiBudget2014
*source: Michigan.gov
 

May 28, 2013

 

Dear Congressman:

 

As representatives of Michigan job providers and across all industries and geographic areas of our state, we are writing to urge you to support H.R. 763, legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Tax. This tax will raise premiums by $8 billion in 2014 increasing to $14.3 billion in 2018.

 

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the most significant problem our members have with their health insurance offering is that of cost. Raising premiums via the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Tax is just another in a long line of disincentives that encourage more employers to discontinue offering health insurance to their employees. This tax, which is slated to go into effect in 2014, imposes a massive new sales tax on health insurance and will significantly increase the cost of health insurance, cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and negatively impact the entire health care system. It also will seriously hinder our members’ ability to grow their businesses, retain and add jobs and help grow Michigan’s economy.

 

Employers, individuals and families alike will bear the burden of this tax. In fact, a new study by the actuarial consulting firm Oliver Wyman estimates, on average, families will be forced to pay $2,157 per year more for coverage over 10 years. This figure is significantly higher – $4,961 – for a family that gets coverage through a large employer.

 

As businesses try to cope with the increased health care costs resulting from this tax, it is estimated this tax will cost nearly 250,000 jobs nationwide and will force many employers to drop employer-sponsored health insurance altogether, which would have a negative impact on the health care system as a whole.

 

The Health Insurance Tax is bad for Michigan. We urge you to take a strong stand against this new tax because of the negative impact it would have on job creation and retention.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) takes much pride in keeping bar and restaurant owners up to date with new changes in law, as well as answering any questions that come along the way as a business owner.  Below you will see most recent commonly asked questions from the MLCC.  We know others might have the same questions, as we have had similar questions asked of our Government Relations team as well.

Question: Under what conditions would a transfer applicant be delayed due to the licensee’s tax liability?

Answer: Each year the Michigan Department of Treasury sends the Liquor Control Commission a list of licensees with outstanding tax debt. A hold is placed on the renewal of these licenses and when the licensee tries to renew the license he or she (or the Corporation, Partnership, LLC) is unable to do so until the outstanding debt is paid (or a payment arrangement has been established with the Michigan Department of Treasury.) If a transfer application is received, no action will be taken on that application until the outstanding tax debt issue is resolved and the Department of Treasury clears the objection to renewal based on outstanding tax debt.

Question: What can I do if I am denied a license by the Commission?

Answer: If a license application is denied, the applicant may request an appeal hearing. The request must be made in writing to the Lansing office of the Commission within 20 days from the date of the denial letter which is mailed to the applicant. MLCC mailing address: Michigan Liquor Control Commission, 7150 Harris Drive, P.O. Box 30005, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7505.

Question: Whom do I call to find out who holds a retail liquor license – and what information is available to the public regarding a licensed establishment?

Answer: Contact the Lansing office of the Liquor Control Commission at (866) 813-0011 and ask to be connected to the Records Unit of Licensing. Provide whatever information you have, such as the specific business address of the establishment you are interested in, the names of any individuals or corporations you think may be listed on the license, the last known assumed name of the business (e.g. Joe’s Bar) and the dates in question (current licensee or specific dates in the past). Routine verbal requests for information may include the name a liquor license is issued in (if a corporate entity – names of stockholders); a business address; d.b.a.; types of licenses and permits issued; licensing history of the business; and pending requests (if needed, you may be transferred to the appropriate Licensing Unit for further information regarding the status of a pending request).

Michigan Transportation Team
The Michigan Transportation Team (MTT) is a partnership of businesses, associations and citizens linked with the common goal of improving Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.

 

Our Top Priorities

I. Action

The MTT’s number one priority is to encourage Michiganders to call on their legislators to invest in Michigan’s crumbling roads, bridges and infrastructure – which would save money and save lives.

• Contact your legislators to tell them how important it is to fix Michigan’s infrastructure.
• Sign this petition to support the passage of legislation to significantly increase the investment in Michigan’s transportation infrastructure

 

II. Educate

Many are still unaware of the extent of Michigan’s infrastructure problem. The MTT is dedicated to educating citizens, businesses, organizations and others on the reality of the state’s infrastructure and the importance of investing in it to Michigan’s economy and the safety of citizens.

• Share information with your members through a newsletter or email blast.

 

III. Awareness

The MTT is dedicated to raising awareness of the needs and importance of Michigan’s transportation infrastructure.

• Connect with us on social media to help spread the word!
• Submit a letter to the editor or viewpoint to your local paper on why you support fixing Michigan’s infrastructure.

 

Contact: Mariam Robinson, MITA (517)853-5866 mariamrobinson@mi-ita.com or Josh Hovey, Trustcott Rossman (517)487-9320 jhovey@truscottrossman.com