HB1481 Enabling on-premises licensees to sell drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out.
Enabling on-premises licensees to sell drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out.
Impact Score — How Does This Bill Affect You?
Overall Impact Score
Mixed
Scale: 1 (harmful) to 10 (beneficial)
Your Wallet
Would have given restaurants an additional revenue stream and consumers more convenient purchasing options.
Your Community
Supports local restaurants while raising modest public safety concerns about open containers.
Your Freedom
Expands consumer choice and business flexibility by reducing an outdated alcohol regulation.
Status
Inexpedient to Legislate: Motion Adopted Voice Vote 02/19/2026 House Journal 5 P. 6
Sponsor
John Hunt (R)
The Short Version
Would have allowed bars and restaurants to sell cocktails for take-out, extending a pandemic-era practice. Killed via ITL voice vote. Cocktail-to-go rules were popular during COVID and supported many struggling restaurants.
Who's Behind This Bill?
Who Benefits
- ▲ Restaurants and bars gaining take-out revenue
- ▲ Consumers wanting cocktail-to-go convenience
Who Pays the Price
- ▼ Those concerned about alcohol-related safety issues
Bill statuses as of May 2026. Check LegiScan or NH General Court for the latest.
This bill was auto-scored using AI analysis of the bill text and legislative data. Scores may be refined as we review more bills.