Sen. Johnson files bill amending North Carolina Senate alcohol laws

A new bill filed by State Sen. Johnson seeks to update North Carolina’s alcohol laws, focusing on regulatory changes and infrastructure improvements for the ABC Commission, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 552 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘ABC Omnibus 2025.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends North Carolina’s alcohol laws. It allocates $309.6 million for a new automated warehouse for the ABC Commission, with repayments beginning by July 2029. It establishes service business permits, allowing these businesses to offer complimentary malt beverages and unfortified wine to customers, with permit fees set at $50. It emphasizes obligatory recycling plans for premises with permits and details the process for permit registration and renewal. The bill clarifies open container laws and corrects technical details for brown-bagging and airports. It permits carrying mixed drinks on permitted premises within social districts, effective July 1, 2025. Retroactive sections, such as county mixed beverage elections, take effect on specified dates, with the bill’s remaining provisions effective upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Timothy D. Moffitt proposed the most bills (70) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Johnson graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2000 with a BA.

Johnson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 35th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Tommy Tucker.