SB271 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Alcoholic beverages, wine, direct shipment to consumer, authorized under certain conditions, wine direct shipper license required by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, penalties, Sec. 28-3A-6.1 added; Sec. 28-1-4 am'd.

Summary

The bill creates a wine direct shipper license allowing licensed wine manufacturers to ship limited amounts of wine directly to Alabama residents, with rules, fees, and penalties for noncompliance.

What This Bill Does

It allows a currently licensed wine producer to obtain a wine direct shipper permit to ship limited wine (and beer for craft breweries/wineries) directly to Alabama residents for personal use, with delivery by board-approved carriers to adults in wet areas. It sets annual per-household shipment limits, requires labeling and tax collection, and mandates reporting and potential audits. It also creates enforcement mechanisms, renewal fees, and specific penalties for shipments without a permit, while clarifying that electronic methods of purchase cannot be prohibited by the ABC Board and noting constitutional expenditure exemptions.

Who It Affects

• Licensed wine manufacturers (including craft breweries and craft wineries) that may apply for and obtain a wine direct shipper permit to ship limited quantities of beer or wine directly to Alabama residents.
• Alabama residents aged 21 or older living in wet counties or municipalities who may receive direct shipments, with shipments delivered by ABC-approved carriers and penalties for shipments made without a permit.

Key Provisions

• Creates a wine direct shipper license and adds Section 28-3A-6.1; allows permittees to ship limited quantities of beer or wine directly to Alabama residents for personal use within annual per-household limits.
• Direct shipper permit application process: $100 filing fee, submission of current manufacturer license, and issuance by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board; renewal fee of $50.
• Shipment restrictions: no shipping to premises licensed by the board or to dry counties/municipalities; containers must be labeled with age-21-or-older delivery notice; requires tax collection and reporting to state/local authorities; board audits allowed; permits may be suspended or revoked.
• Non-permit shipments prohibited; such shipments constitute a Class C misdemeanor; board enforcement provisions and potential fines in lieu of suspension/revocation.
• Delivery logistics: delivery service carriers approved by the board may deliver to residents 21+ in wet areas, with carriers responsible for verifying age; permits and rules govern delivery.
• Section 3 provision: the ABC Board may not prohibit purchases or deliveries of alcohol to consumers via telephone, Internet, or other electronic methods.
• Amendment 621 (local funds) exemption: the bill is exempt from local expenditure approval requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor 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