
The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA or SLA) is responsible for issuing licenses for beer and alcohol sales in the state. The Authority is made up of a Chairperson and two Commissioners, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The current commissioner, Lily M. Fan, was nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 10, 2023, becoming the first Asian American woman appointed as a Commissioner of the SLA. The SLA regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages and works with law enforcement agencies and community groups to ensure compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the commissioner of alcohol and licensing, NYS | Lily M. Fan |
| Date of appointment | June 10, 2023 |
| Position | Commissioner of the SLA (State Liquor Authority) |
| Appointed by | Governor Kathy Hochul |
| Confirmed by | New York State Senate |
| Additional information | First Asian American woman appointed as a Commissioner of the SLA |
| Deputy Commissioner of Licensing | Maureen Hughes |
| Deputy Counsel | Jaime Gallagher |
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What You'll Learn
- The current commissioner of the NYS Liquor Authority is Lily M. Fan
- The Liquor Authority regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages
- The Authority issues licenses for beer and alcohol sales
- The Licensing Bureau coordinates statewide licensing policies
- The Enforcement Bureau investigates possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law

The current commissioner of the NYS Liquor Authority is Lily M. Fan
The State Liquor Authority issues licenses for beer and alcohol sales. The Authority's main office is located at 80 S. Swan St., Suite 900, Albany, NY 12210. The Harlem office serves the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester.
The SLA regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages through a tiered system of three independent components: manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The Wholesale Bureau provides ongoing assistance and guidance to the industry on trade practices and policy issues. The Licensing Bureau coordinates statewide licensing policies, standards, and initiatives, and ensures that all license or permit applicants meet the statutory requirements.
The Enforcement Bureau is responsible for investigating possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which includes rules and regulations relating to the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, transportation, and storage of alcohol. The Hearing Bureau is comprised of part-time administrative law judges who conduct disciplinary proceedings when licensees are charged with violations and hold hearings to review Licensing Board decisions denying licenses.
The SLA also receives complaints from law enforcement agencies, government agencies, community groups, industry members, elected officials, and members of the public.
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The Liquor Authority regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages
The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) is a three-member board that regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages in the state. The board consists of a Chairperson, who acts as the agency administrator, and two Commissioners appointed by the Governor with the Senate's consent. The current Chair of the SLA is Lily M. Fan, who was nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 10, 2023. Ms. Fan is the first Asian American woman appointed as a Commissioner of the SLA.
The SLA operates under the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which is part of the Executive Department. The Division of ABC regulates and controls the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the state. This includes issuing licenses and permits to manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. The SLA also works with local law enforcement agencies and localities to ensure compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and regulates trade and credit practices related to the sale and distribution of alcohol.
The Licensing Bureau within the SLA coordinates statewide licensing policies, standards, and initiatives. It ensures that all license or permit applicants meet the statutory requirements by reviewing all applications and preparing detailed reports for the Licensing Board or the Authority Members to make proper determinations. The Bureau also handles brand registrations for all alcoholic beverages sold in New York State.
The SLA's Enforcement Bureau is responsible for investigating possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, including rules and regulations related to manufacturing, wholesale, retail, transportation, and storage. The Hearing Bureau, comprised of part-time administrative law judges, conducts disciplinary proceedings when licensees are charged with violations and holds hearings to review Licensing Board decisions denying licenses.
The SLA's regulatory structure aims to control the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages within New York State, fostering and promoting temperance in their consumption while also ensuring obedience to the law. This structure falls under the control model of alcohol regulation, where the government directly controls the distribution and sale of alcohol within its borders.
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The Authority issues licenses for beer and alcohol sales
The New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA or SLA) is responsible for issuing licenses for beer and alcohol sales in the state. The Authority is led by a Chairperson, who acts as the agency administrator, and two Commissioners, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. As of June 10, 2023, Lily M. Fan, the first Asian American woman appointed as a Commissioner of the SLA, leads the New York State Liquor Authority. The Authority's main office is located in Albany, with a second office in Harlem serving several surrounding areas, including Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
The SLA regulates the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages through a tiered system of three independent components: manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. The Licensing Bureau coordinates statewide licensing policies, standards, and initiatives, ensuring that all applicants meet the statutory requirements. The Bureau reviews all license and permit applications and prepares detailed reports to assist the Licensing Board and the Authority Members in making proper determinations. The SLA also handles brand registrations for all alcoholic beverages sold in New York State.
To obtain a liquor license in New York, applicants must first register their business and obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, as well as a Sales Tax ID from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. They must also inform their local Community Board of their intent to apply for a liquor license and publish a notice in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. This community engagement process allows for addressing any concerns and building support for the application.
The SLA offers temporary liquor licenses, also known as temporary permits, allowing new applicants without a current liquor license to serve alcohol while their liquor license application is pending approval. A liquor store license is considered the most difficult to obtain, and professional assistance is often recommended to navigate the complex process successfully. The SLA provides support and guidance to the industry on trade practices and policy issues through its Wholesale Bureau.
The SLA also has an Enforcement Bureau responsible for investigating possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which includes rules and regulations relating to the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, transportation, and storage of alcoholic beverages. The Hearing Bureau, comprised of part-time Administrative Law judges, conducts disciplinary proceedings when licensees are charged with violations and holds hearings to review Licensing Board decisions denying licenses.
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The Licensing Bureau coordinates statewide licensing policies
The State Liquor Authority (SLA) in New York is a three-member board consisting of a Chairperson and two Commissioners. The current commissioner is Lily M. Fan, who was nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 10, 2023.
The Licensing Bureau, which falls under the SLA, plays a crucial role in coordinating statewide licensing policies, standards, and initiatives. This includes ensuring that all applicants for licenses or permits meet the necessary statutory requirements.
The staff within the Licensing Bureau thoroughly review all license and permit applications and prepare detailed reports to assist the Licensing Board and the Authority Members in making informed decisions on each application. This process ensures that only eligible applicants are granted licenses to sell alcohol in New York State.
The Licensing Bureau also handles brand registrations for all alcoholic beverages sold within the state. They work closely with other departments and law enforcement agencies to regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol through a tiered system of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Additionally, the Licensing Bureau contributes to maintaining compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law by providing ongoing assistance and guidance to the industry on trade practices and policy issues. This includes offering support to licensees and servers on alcohol-related matters, ensuring that businesses operating with alcohol licenses adhere to the terms of their licenses, and maintaining detailed records of alcohol purchases and sales.
The Licensing Bureau's comprehensive approach to coordinating licensing policies is essential for effective regulation and control of the alcoholic beverage industry in New York State.
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The Enforcement Bureau investigates possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law
The New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) is led by Lily M. Fan, who was nominated by Governor Kathy Hochul and confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 10, 2023. The SLA operates under the direction of a three-member board, consisting of a Chairperson and two Commissioners. The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), a subdivision of the SLA, is responsible for regulating and controlling the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages within the state.
The SLA's Enforcement Bureau is tasked with investigating possible violations of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, which encompasses rules and regulations relating to the manufacturing, wholesale, retail, transportation, and storage of alcoholic beverages. The Enforcement Bureau ensures compliance with the law across the alcoholic beverage industry, addressing violations that often occur at the retail or consumer level.
The Enforcement Bureau works closely with local law enforcement agencies, playing a crucial role in enforcing the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. While the Authority lacks criminal jurisdiction, law enforcement officials actively refer thousands of violations to the SLA for administrative prosecution. These violations can result in disciplinary proceedings against licensees, with potential consequences including criminal prosecution and penalties.
The Enforcement Bureau receives complaints and reports of non-compliance from various sources, including law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies, community groups, industry members, elected officials, and members of the public. Undercover investigations and compliance investigations are also conducted as part of their enforcement efforts.
The SLA's Licensing Bureau, led by Deputy Commissioner of Licensing, Maureen Hughes, works in conjunction with the Enforcement Bureau to ensure that all license and permit applicants meet the statutory requirements. The Licensing Bureau coordinates statewide licensing policies, standards, and initiatives, while the Enforcement Bureau monitors licensed establishments to ensure ongoing compliance with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
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Frequently asked questions
Lily M. Fan is the commissioner of the New York State Liquor Authority (NYSLA).
The commissioner presides over Full Board meetings and prescribes the forms for license and permit applications. The commissioner also has the power to hire and fire staff, oversee the Alcohol Training Awareness Program, and submit annual reports.
To obtain a liquor license in New York State, you must first register your business and obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You will also need a Sales Tax ID from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. Next, inform your local Community Board of your intent to apply for a liquor license and publish a notice in a local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. Once you have submitted your application to the NYSLA, maintain open lines of communication and promptly respond to any requests for additional information.
Finding a compliant space can be challenging, especially in NYC, due to the city's complex zoning laws. It is recommended to work with a specialised real estate agent. Additionally, a liquor store license is particularly difficult to obtain, and professional assistance is often required to ensure approval.





































