HB382 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Alcoholic beverages, powdered alcohol prohibited to possess, purchase, sell, or use, penalties

Summary

HB382 would make powdered alcohol illegal to possess, purchase, sell, or use, with penalties and limited exceptions.

What This Bill Does

The bill makes it illegal for any person or business to possess, purchase, sell, offer to sell, or use powdered alcohol. It creates specific penalties: up to a $500 fine for unlawful possession and a Class C felony for unlawful selling. Certain entities (hospitals conducting scientific research, state institutions, and pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies conducting bona fide research) are exempt from the prohibition. The bill is exempt from local-fund expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 because it defines a new crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who possess or attempt to purchase powdered alcohol would face fines or potential felony charges if they sell it unlawfully.
• Business establishments that sell, offer to sell, or possess powdered alcohol would be subject to penalties, including felony charges for unlawful selling.
• Hospitals performing scientific research, state institutions, and pharmaceutical or biotechnology research entities are exempt from the prohibition.
• Local governments are not required to navigate local-fund expenditure rules for this bill because it is treated as creating a new crime under the constitutional exception.

Key Provisions

• Powdered alcohol is defined as alcohol sold in a powder form, for direct use or reconstitution with water or food.
• It shall be unlawful for any person or business establishment to possess, purchase, sell, offer to sell, or use powdered alcohol.
• Exceptions: the prohibition does not apply to hospitals performing scientific research, state institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or biotechnology companies conducting bona fide research.
• Penalties: knowingly and unlawfully possessing powdered alcohol may be fined up to $500; knowingly and unlawfully selling powdered alcohol is punishable as a Class C felony.
• The bill is excluded from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime, and thus does not require the local government approval or funding mechanisms typically needed.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

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