nh-2026-222: Rules Relating to Particular Licensees

1. Agency: Liquor Commission

Agency Address: Liquor Commission 50 Storrs Street, Concord, NH 03301

6. (a) Summary of what the rule says and of any proposed amendments including

whether the rule implements a state statute for the first time: Through these amendments, the New Hampshire Liquor Commission intends to adopt, readopt with amendment, and repeal various rules within Chapter Liq 500 “Rules Relating to Particular Licensees” to align the rules with statutory or procedural changes or requirements and to provide clarity. Specifically: • Liq. 501.01 - Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:22, V(h)(2) (2026 HB 565) relative to allowing guests under the age of 18 years in the cocktail lounge of a private club with a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse • Liq. 503.03 - Modifies the rule to provide clear process for granting licensees an exception for opening requirements, primarily due to seasonal locations, lack of staffing, or desired business operations. • Liq. 505.01 – Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:22, V(l-a) (2025 SB 87) that allows for-profit businesses to obtain a one-day liquor license. The change to Liq 505.01 applies the rules in Part Liq 505 to one-day licenses issued to for-profit businesses. For-profit businesses may decide to apply or not to apply for a one- day license due to the requirements of Part Liq 505, which may result in an ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026 increase to the general fund due to the collection of licensing fees. The fee for a one-day license is $100. Licensing fees are determined by statute, not Liq 500. • Liq. 505.06 – Modifies the rule to permit one-day licenses to be issued for 1-3 days. • Liq. 506.03; Liq 506.09; Liq 506.16 – Liq 506.19; Liq 506.21 – Addresses the repeal of RSA 178:12-a regarding nano breweries. Nano brewery licenses were consolidated into the beverage manufacturer license (RSA 178:12). The beverage manufacturer license is a tiered licensing structure with annual license fees for beverage manufacturer licensees totaling either $240, $480, $1,200, or $1,692 depending on the number of barrels produced (RSA 178:29. III(a)). A total of 36 nano brewery licenses were transferred to beverage manufacturer licenses. The nano breweries that were transferred to the beverage manufacturer licenses often incurred increased licensing fees. The annual fee for a nano brewery license was $240. The increase in licensing fees to former nano breweries will result in an increase to the general fund. Licensing fees are determined by statute, not Liq 500. • Liq. 506.06 – This rule is being repealed to implement the repeal of RSA 179:5-a regarding keg registration. • Liq. 506.15 – Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:6-a, RSA 178:8-a, and RSA 178:12-b (2024 HB 1358) that expanded the contract manufacturing and tenant manufacturing options for beverage, wine, and liquor manufacturers. The fee for this add-on license is $240 annually. Historically, the tenant and contract manufacturing options have not been widely utilized by the industry. It is expected to have minimal impact on general fund revenue. Licensing fees are determined by statute, not Liq 500. X Does this rule implement a state statute for the first time? If yes, please explain: Liq. 501.01 - Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:22, V(h)(2) (2026 HB 565) relative to allowing guests under the age of 18 years in the cocktail lounge of a private club with a parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse Liq. 505.01 – Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:22, V(l-a) (2025 SB 87) that allows for-profit businesses to obtain a one-day liquor license. Liq. 506.15 – Addresses a statutory change to RSA 178:6-a, 178:8-a, and 178:12- b (2024 HB 1358) that expanded the contract manufacturing and tenant manufacturing options for beverage, wine, and liquor manufacturers. 6. (b) Brief description of the groups affected: Liq. 501.01- The proposed rule change affects the private, veteran, and social clubs by changing the definition of “guest” for compliance with statute change in RSA 178:22. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026 Liq. 503.03- The proposed rule change affects licensees licensed as a full-service restaurant under RSA 178:21 and RSA 178:22 by indicating the exceptions allowed by statute. Liq. 505.01- The proposed rule change affects for-profit businesses obtaining a one-day liquor license pursuant to RSA 178:22. Liq. 505.06- The proposed rule change affects for-profit and non-profit one-day liquor licenses pursuant to RSA 178:22, l and RSA 178:22, l-a. Liq. 506.03- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a. Liq. 506.06- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a. Liq. 506.09- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a. The rule also affects beverage manufacturers, brew pubs, and beverage vendors relative to any violation of Liq. 506.09. Liq. 506.15- The proposed rule changes affects tenant manufacturer and host manufacturers for liquor pursuant to RSA 178:6-a; beverage pursuant to RSA 178:12-b; and wine pursuant to RSA 178:8-a. Liq. 506.16- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a. Liq. 506.17- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a; beverage manufacturers and brewpubs who produce cider; and tenant manufacturers. Liq. 506.18- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a and all licensees selling kegs relative to the repeal of keg registrations in RSA 179:5-a. Liq. 506.19- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a. Liq. 506.21- The proposed rule change affects nano-brewery licenses that were repealed pursuant to RSA 178:12-a; beverage manufacturers; and wine manufacturers. 6. (c) Specific section or sections of state statute or federal statute or regulation which the rule is intended to implement: RULE STATUTE Liq 501.01 RSA 178:22, V(h) Liq 503.03 RSA178:21, II Liq 505.01 RSA 178:22, V(l); RSA 178:22, V(l-a) ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026 Liq 505.06 RSA 178:22, V(l); RSA 178:22, V(l-a) Liq 506.03 RSA 178:16; RSA 178:26 Liq 506.06 RSA 178:16; RSA 178:26 (Repealed) Liq 506.09 RSA 179:31; RSA 179:33 Liq 506.15 RSA 178:6; RSA 178:6-a; RSA 178:8; RSA 178:8-a; RSA 178:12-b; RSA 178:13 Liq 506.16 RSA 178:12, V; RSA 178:15, VII; RSA 178:6, VI; RSA 178:7, VI; RSA 178:8, IV; RSA 178:30, V; RSA 178:26; RSA 179:35 Liq 506.17 RSA 178:12, V; RSA 178:13, IV; RSA 178:12-b, III; RSA 178:6, VI; RSA 178:7, VI; RSA 178:12-b, VI; RSA 178:8, IV Liq 506.18 RSA 178:12, V; RSA 178:15, VII; RSA 178:13, IV; RSA 178:6, VI; RSA 178:7, VI; RSA 178:8, IV; RSA 178:30, V; RSA 178:26; RSA 179:14; RSA 179:35 Liq 506.19 RSA 176:14, VIII(b) Liq 506.21 RSA 178:8, III; RSA 178:12, II-a and II-b

7. Contact person for copies and questions including requests to accommodate

persons with disabilities: Name: Patricia L. Peters, Esq. Title: Director of Administration Address: 50 Storrs Street, Concord, NH 03301 Phone Number: (603) 230-3199 FAX Number: Email: patricia.l.peters@liquor.nh.gov

8. Deadline for submission of materials in writing or, if practicable for the agency, in

the electronic format specified: Monday, November 23, 2026 _ Fax X Email patricia.l.peters@liquor.nh.gov _ Other

9. Public hearing scheduled for:

Date: Friday, November 13, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM Place: NHLC Headquarters 50 Storrs Street Concord, NH 03301 Electronic Access, if applicable: N/A ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026

10. Fiscal Impact Statement (Prepared by Legislative Budget Assistant):

FIS #: 26:188, dated: Thursday, October 8, 2026

1. Comparison of the costs of the proposed rule(s) to the existing rule(s):

There is no difference in cost when comparing the proposed rules to the existing rules. Not applicable to Liq 505.06 as this is a new rule and not applicable to Liq 506.06 as it is being repealed.

2. Cite the Federal mandate. Identify the impact on state funds:

No Federal mandate, no impact on state funds.

3. Cost and benefits of the proposed rule(s):

When comparing the proposed rules to the existing rules the proposed rules align the rules with statutes in RSA 176, RSA 178, and RSA 179 by removing references to nano breweries, changing references from tenant brewers and host brewers to tenant manufacturers and host manufacturers, updating definitions and procedures to conform with current statutes and practices, and clarifying the process for exemptions authorized by statute. Changes in licensing revenue and costs associated with one-day licenses, nano brewery licenses, keg registration, and contract and tenant manufacturing are attributable to statutory changes and not the proposed rules. Liq 505.06 allows one-day licenses to be issued for up to three consecutive calendar days, which may result in an indeterminable decrease in administrative costs to certain independently owned businesses by reducing the number of applications required for multi-day events.

C. To independently owned businesses:

See # 3 above. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026 11. Statement Relative to Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution: The proposed rules do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the N.H. Constitution. The proposed rules do not create a new program, or responsibility but seeks to expand or modify an existing program or responsibility. However, the rules do not mandate or assign responsibility to any political subdivision that would increase the costs the political subdivision must pay and therefore, do not violate Part I, Article 28-a of the NH Constitution. ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (603) 271-3680 Generated on 10/12/2026