BILL · 2025–26 SESSION

HB 1977: Commercial servers of liquor

Concerning the indemnification of commercial servers of liquor.

Summary

Requires liquor retailers to pay all necessary expenses of defending a lawsuit in a civil action for damages brought against any past or present server of the retailer arising from the server's alleged sale of liquor to a person apparently under the influence of liquor.
Prohibits a judgment against the server from becoming a lien upon any property of the server.
Specifies that the bill does not limit a server's personal liability for, and obligation to pay, any fine assessed by the Liquor and Cannabis Board, a liquor enforcement officer, or a county or municipal peace officer.
Specifies that the bill does not limit any cause of action against a retailer.

From the House Bill Analysis 2026 (HB 1977), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to the indemnification of commercial servers of liquor;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

HB 1977 (2023–24) State rock · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1977 (2021–22) Guardianship curriculum · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1977 (2019–20) Judicial assistants, etc. · Did not pass · stalled on the House floor
HB 1977 (2017–18) Vehicle financial respo. · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1977 (2015–16) Tuition and fees exemption · Enacted · Chapter 46, Laws of 2015
HB 1977 (2013–14) Renewable energy · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1977 (2011–12) Sex offender school access · Did not pass · died in committee
HB 1977 (2009–10) Home heating fuel exemption · Did not pass · died in committee