Representative John Bell
HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER
North Carolina General Assembly
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jimmy Milstead
April 16, 2019
NC House Passes Bill to Let UNC System Schools Sell Alcohol at Athletic Events
Now Heads to NC Senate for Consideration
Raleigh, NC – Legislation ( HB 389 ) introduced by NC House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) and NC Senate Majority Whip Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) to allow UNC System schools to sell beer and wine at athletic events was approved by the NC House on Tuesday.

The bill, which has the support of 14 out of the 15 UNC System schools , would bring NC public universities in line with private schools – such as Wake Forest and Duke – that are already selling alcohol at athletic games. The bill will now move to the NC Senate for consideration.

“By giving NC public universities the option to sell beer and wine at athletic events, this bill will improve safety and encourage local economic development,” said Rep. Bell. “With it already happening at private universities and within premium seating only at public schools, it simply makes sense to give all UNC System schools the choice to sell alcohol to legal-age fans – regardless if they can afford expensive seats.”

“I applaud the NC House and Leader Bell for passing this important bill and getting it one step closer to becoming law,” said Sen. Gunn. “I look forward to continuing this effort in the NC Senate to level the playing field of alcohol sales at athletic events for our public colleges and universities. This is a great economic move and a common sense measure that enhances the game day experience for college sports fans.

Statistics show when schools allow the sale of alcohol the number of alcohol related incidents dramatically drop. After allowing alcohol sales in 2011, West Virginia University saw a 35% decrease in such incidents. The Ohio State University saw a similar decrease in 2016 – while also generating $1.2 million in sales that year.

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