SB274 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

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

SB 274 would create a wine direct shipper license allowing licensed Alabama wine manufacturers to ship limited quantities of wine directly to Alabama residents for personal use, with rules, fees, and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue a wine direct shipper permit to licensed wine manufacturers to ship limited wine quantities directly to Alabama residents for personal use. It sets limits (up to 24 cases per year, each case up to 9 liters, only to residents 21 or older), requires labeling and tax collection, and allows delivery to residents through delivery carriers. It also creates penalties for shipping wine without a permit (Class C misdemeanor) and outlines permit fees, renewal, audits, and enforcement provisions.

Who It Affects

• Licensed wine manufacturers in Alabama: may apply for and must comply with the wine direct shipper permit, including fees, annual limits, labeling, tax collection, audits, and board rules.
• Alabama residents aged 21 or older: may receive direct shipments of wine from permittees for personal use, subject to annual quantity limits and other requirements; shipments without a permit are illegal.

Key Provisions

• Creates a wine direct shipper license and adds Section 28-3A-6.1 to authorize direct wine shipments to Alabama residents.
• Permits up to 24 cases per year, each case not exceeding 9 liters, shipped to residents 21+ for personal use; shipments not for resale.
• Applicants must file with the ABC Board, pay a $100 filing fee, and provide a current Alabama manufacturer license.
• Permittees must label all containers with 'CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY'; collect and remit taxes; allow audits; and renew for $50 annually.
• Delivery service carriers may deliver wine to residents under the permit and are not required to carry extra documents beyond shipping label information; shipments to board-licensed premises are prohibited.
• Violations include shipping wine to Alabama residents without a permit (Class C misdemeanor).
• The ABC Board may suspend or revoke permits and may impose fines in lieu of suspension; board may promulgate implementing rules.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage/approval.
• The bill notes an exemption from local-funding approval requirements (Amendment 621) because it creates a new 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

Alcoholic Beverages