Time to raise your glasses to Maricopa’s newest state representative. His liquor store bill, which aligns with his small-government GOP platform, has become his first to face the governor’s formidable veto stamp and live to tell the tale.

Freshman Chris Lopez’s House Bill 2741 was co-sponsored by 19 other Arizona Republicans and signed into law last month at the nib of Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. 

It was “a great feeling,” Lopez said.

“I did not expect it when they called me up on the House floor and presented me with a certificate,” he told InMaricopa last night. “It all felt very real when it happened.” 

HB 2741 lets liquor retailers decide for themselves when and what kinds of beer, wine or spirits they offer as samples in their stores. Right now, that decision is made by the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control.

For example, the department might schedule a tasting for a liquor the store doesn’t sell or approve a red wine tasting when the store actually wants to feature tequila for Cinco de Mayo weekend.

“This legislation takes out some of that government overreach by allowing the retailer to have more control over curating the tastings and samplings they conduct in their stores,” Lopez said.

While Maricopa doesn’t currently have any designated liquor or beer and wine stores, the new law could positively affect future retailers as the city continues to grow, Lopez said. In the meantime, grocery stores and liquor licensed retailers could see more leniency regarding when and how they offer samplings. 

As a small business owner himself — Lopez owns a food concessions business based in Casa Grande — he’s seen similar policies affect his bottom line.  

“I haven’t had this particular experience with liquor, but business owners all experience this in some fashion. We’re helping to streamline regulatory processes for business owners and helping them to save a little money,” he said.

HB 2741 was supported by the Arizona Retailers Association, Arizona Craft Producers Association, Arizona Craft Brewers Guild and the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance. The Beer and Wine Distributors of Arizona were neutral.

Lopez’s districtmate Rep. Teresa Martinez, a Republican, said that Hobbs signing Lopez’s law was the top highlight in yesterday’s Legislative District Diaries entry. She praised that the bill “enhances business flexibility.”

Lopez said he anticipates seeing two more of his bills signed into law in the coming weeks: HB 2742 on court-ordered health evaluations and HB 2895 on providing more transparency in certain government contracts.