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Legislation to allow Ohio communities to set up "outdoor refreshment areas" exempt from open-container laws cleared a final legislative vote on Wednesday.

(New Belgium Brewing Co.)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- State lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation that would allow outdoor alcohol consumption in areas such as Cleveland's East Fourth Street.

House Bill 47, which easily cleared a final Ohio House vote, would allow the more than 60 Ohio cities with a population greater than 35,000 people to create "outdoor refreshment areas" that are exempt from the state's open-container laws.

Smaller communities would be able to set up their own open-container areas in two years.

The legislation now heads to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

The bill, if enacted, would take effect immediately so it would be in place for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Cincinnati this July. Backers also say it would be helpful for Cleveland during the 2016 Republican National Convention.

The open-container exemption would apply to pedestrians and even people in stationary vehicles within the designated zones, which would cover up to half a square mile in larger communities.

Cleveland and other major Ohio cities would be allowed to designate two outdoor refreshment areas. Each city that sets up an area must review every five years whether to keep it.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated, in error, that Cleveland would be allowed to set up three "outdoor refreshment areas." The city would be permitted two such areas under the bill.