HB81 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Alcoholic beverages, wine, licensees may allow recorked or resealed bottle to be removed from premises, bottle not considered open in motor vehicle, manner of transportation specified, Sec. 28-3A-20.1 am'd.

Summary

HB81 would let certain licensees let customers take a recorked or resealed wine bottle off the premises after partial consumption, remove the automatic 'not open' status for such bottles, and set specific safe storage rules for transporting the bottle in a vehicle.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes licensees to permit removal of one unsealed bottle of wine for off-premises consumption after a portion has been consumed on the licensed premises. It requires the bottle to be recorked with the original or similar cork or securely resealed in a tamper-evident bag and to provide a dated receipt. It removes the rule that a recorked or resealed bottle is automatically not an open container and adds explicit transportation requirements for the bottle in a motor vehicle. The bottle remains subject to other related alcohol rules.

Who It Affects

• Customers who purchase wine on licensed premises and may take a bottle off-site.
• Licensees and their staff who manage wine service, resealing or recorking, and issuing receipts.
• Vehicle occupants transporting the bottle and law enforcement applying open-container provisions.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes licensees to permit removal of one unsealed bottle of wine for off-premises consumption after portion has been consumed on the licensed premises.
• Requires either recorking with the original or a similar cork or resealing in a tamper-evident bag plus a dated receipt for the resealed bottle.
• Specifies that the bottle is subject to existing open-container laws (removing the prior exemption that it is automatically not open).
• Provides explicit vehicle storage options for transporting the bottle: locked trunk, locked storage or luggage compartment, locked glove compartment, locked case in a pickup bed, or other locked, non-readily-accessible areas behind the front seat (as applicable).
• Effective date: immediately upon passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages