NH legalizes public drinking of alcohol in designated ‘social districts’ – New Hampshire Public Radio

Report on New Hampshire House Bill 467 and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Legislative Overview

The state of New Hampshire has enacted House Bill 467, a law authorizing the creation of designated “social districts” where adults can legally consume alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed establishments. Signed into law with an effective date of September 5, the legislation aims to stimulate local economies and enhance community life, aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The primary economic objective of the new law is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth by supporting local enterprises.

• Economic Stimulation: The legislation is designed to generate new business opportunities for local bars and restaurants, contributing directly to Target 8.2 of achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification and focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
• Support for Local Tourism: By creating vibrant “sip and stroll” areas, municipalities can attract more visitors, thereby promoting sustainable tourism that creates local jobs and promotes local culture and products (Target 8.9).

Advancing SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

House Bill 467 provides a framework for making urban and community spaces more inclusive, safe, and sustainable.

• Enhanced Social Cohesion: The law is intended to strengthen community bonds by “bringing people together to get to know each other,” which supports Target 11.7 by providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces.
• Revitalization of Public Spaces: The establishment of social districts encourages the active and positive use of public streets and zones, contributing to the overall vitality and appeal of community centers.

Considerations for SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

While promoting social well-being, the implementation of the law requires careful management to safeguard public health, a central tenet of SDG 3.

• Promoting Responsible Consumption: Concerns regarding addiction were raised during legislative hearings. The bill’s regulatory framework, including beverage size limits and clearly defined district boundaries, serves as a measure to mitigate health risks and promote responsible alcohol consumption.
• Public Health and Safety: The need for effective policing and enforcement within these districts is critical to ensuring they remain safe environments, aligning with the broader goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Upholding SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The law’s enactment and implementation process reflect principles of effective, accountable, and inclusive governance.

• Democratic Process: The requirement for local approval through town meetings or citizen petitions ensures that the establishment of social districts is a democratic, participatory process, reflecting Target 16.7.
• Regulatory Oversight: The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is tasked with maintaining an updated list of approved municipalities, providing a centralized and accountable institutional framework for the law’s administration. Any future issues will be “flagged and discussed and remediated,” demonstrating a commitment to responsive governance.

Implementation Framework and Regulatory Measures

Municipalities that opt to create a social district must adhere to a specific framework established by the state.

1. Local Authorization: Towns must approve the measure via an annual town meeting warrant, while cities may place it on a municipal election ballot or proceed via a citizen petition signed by at least 5% of registered voters.
2. District Operation: Each locality is responsible for setting the hours of operation and marking the district’s boundaries with clear signage.
3. Vendor and Consumer Regulations:
   • Only licensed establishments within the district may sell alcoholic beverages for this purpose.
   • Each beverage is limited to a maximum of 16 fluid ounces.
   • Consumers must remain within the designated social district and must discard beverages before exiting the area.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article mentions concerns raised about “addiction” in relation to the new law, directly connecting it to public health and the harmful use of alcohol.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The law is explicitly described as having an “economic component where business takes place that would not happen otherwise,” aiming to boost local economies, particularly for bars and restaurants.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The creation of “social districts” is intended to enhance public life and social interaction within towns and cities, making community spaces more vibrant and utilized.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article details the legislative process, the roles of state and local governments, and the mechanisms for public participation (town meetings, citizen petitions), which relate to effective, accountable, and participatory institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This is relevant because the article directly notes that “some raised concerns about addiction” during the bill’s hearings, highlighting the potential for the law to impact the harmful use of alcohol.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises. The law is a policy designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (local bars and restaurants) by creating new economic opportunities.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries. The law empowers local municipalities to plan and manage these districts, with implementation requiring a vote at a town meeting, a ballot measure, or a citizen petition, reflecting a participatory approach to managing community spaces.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The law aims to make public streets within designated zones more accessible for social gatherings, though it also raises the question of safety, as evidenced by the mentioned concerns about “policing and enforcement.”

4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article specifies that establishing a social district requires a decision at the local level, either through an “annual town meeting,” a “regular municipal election,” or a “citizen petition, signed by at least 5% of registered voters,” which are all forms of participatory decision-making.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Implied Indicator: Data on enforcement and alcohol-related public safety incidents. The mention of concerns about “addiction, policing and enforcement” implies that data on such issues would be a key metric for evaluating the law’s impact on public health and safety.
   • Mentioned Indicator: Compliance with beverage size limits. The law’s stipulation that “each beverage must be limited to 16 fluid ounces” is a specific, measurable regulation intended to control consumption.

2. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Implied Indicator: Change in revenue for businesses within social districts. The statement that the law has an “economic component where business takes place that would not happen otherwise” implies that a key measure of success would be the increase in business activity and revenue for participating establishments.

3. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Mentioned Indicator: Number of municipalities with approved social districts. The article states that “The New Hampshire Liquor Commission will keep an updated list of all municipalities that approve social districts,” providing a direct, official indicator of the law’s adoption across the state.

4. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Mentioned Indicator: Number of citizen petitions for establishing social districts. The provision for a “citizen petition, signed by at least 5% of registered voters” is a measurable indicator of public participation and engagement in local governance.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nhpr.org