Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 698: Alcoholic beverage control; designated outdoor refreshment areas.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 698 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 14, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Alcoholic beverage control; designated outdoor refreshment areas. Primary sponsor: Tara Durant (Republican). Most recent recorded action (January 30, 2026): Senate committee offered.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Alcoholic beverage control; designated outdoor refreshment areas. Allows a permitted brewery or winery to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption in an area designated for the designated outdoor refreshment area during an event held by the designated outdoor refreshment area licensee. The bill also removes the requirement that alcoholic beverages consumed at such event be contained in paper, plastic, or similar disposable containers that clearly display the name or logo of the retail on-premises licensee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased. The bill allows designated outdoor refreshment area licensees that are nonprofit organizations to sell tickets or charge for wristbands for an event to cover expenses of the event and also only requires such licensee to provide adequate security for an event if deemed necessary by the locality. The bill also provides that a designated outdoor refreshment area licensee that is a nonprofit organization shall be permitted to receive in-kind and financial sponsorships and donations from a manufacturer and may collect participation fees from breweries, wineries, and retail licensees for events held under a designated outdoor refreshment area license. Lastly, the bill allows, with the concurrence of the designated outdoor refreshment area licensee, a nonprofit organization that is not the designated outdoor refreshment licensee, or a brewery, winery, or distillery, to obtain a banquet special event license or a mixed beverage special event license for a special event to be held within the boundaries of the designated outdoor refreshment area as long as there is no event being held by the designated outdoor refreshment area licensee at the same time as such special event.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tara Durant | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 27 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Senate committee offered
- Senate committee offered
- Senate committee offered
- Senate committee offered
- Senate committee offered
- Passed by indefinitely in Rehabilitation and Social Services (8-Y 7-N)
- Senate committee offered
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB698)
- Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102416D