HB327 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Harry Shiver

Republican

Co-Sponsor

Chad Fincher

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Beverages, labels, obscuring, removing, or rendering illegible information on labels, prohibited, storing, transporting, holding for sale, or selling any beverage product with label that is obscured, removed, or illegible, prohibited, penalties, Secs. 20-1-5, 20-1-27 am'd.

Summary

HB327 would ban obscuring or removing information from beverage labels and forbid selling or storing beverages with illegible labels, with penalties and certain exemptions.

What This Bill Does

It amends state law to make it illegal to obscure or remove production information or best-before dates on beverage labels. It also bars storing, transporting, holding for sale, or selling beverages with obscured or illegible labeling. It sets penalties for violations (up to $500 per offense, or up to $5,000 and/or up to six months in jail for large violations) and defines 'unit' as a single beverage package for penalty calculations. It provides exemptions (brand-owner alterations, alcoholic beverages not covered, nonprofits not operating commercially) and notes the effective date and local-funding considerations.

Who It Affects

• Beverage manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and others who store, transport, or sell beverages in Alabama; they must ensure labels stay legible and could face fines or jail if information is obscured.
• Nonprofit or non-commercial organizations and brands/authorized manufacturers (and alcohol products) that are exempt from certain provisions or permitted label alterations.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits obscuring, removing, or rendering illegible any production information, best‑before dates, or other disclosures on beverage labels, packaging, or containers.
• Prohibits storing, transporting, holding for sale, or selling any beverage with obscured or illegible labeling.
• Penalties: fines up to $500 per offense or imprisonment up to six months (or both); violations involving 200+ units may be fined up to $5,000 or imprisonment up to six months (or both).
• Exemptions: alterations by the brand owner/trademark rights holder or an authorized manufacturer are allowed; alcoholic beverages are exempt; nonprofit or non-commercial organizations are exempt.
• Definition: a 'unit' means a single, discreet beverage package or container for penalty calculations.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.
• Local funding note: the bill is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates or amends a crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Food