SB146 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Wine, authorizing common carriers to make delivery of alcoholic beverages to residents over 21, to create a wine direct shipper permit to allow wine manufacturers to ship their table wine directly to residents, Sec. 28-3A-6.1 added; Sec. 28-1-4 am'd.

Summary

SB146 would let licensed Alabama wine manufacturers ship table wine directly to residents 21 and older with a new wine direct shipper permit, authorize common carriers to deliver to residents, and set rules, taxes, reporting, and penalties for direct shipments.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a wine direct shipper permit for manufacturers to ship limited quantities of table wine directly to Alabama residents 21+ for personal use (up to 12 cases per resident per year, each case up to 9 liters) and requires these shippers to collect and remit applicable taxes. It allows common carriers to deliver alcohol to residents 21+ with age verification, requires carriers to keep delivery signatures and report shipment details to the ABC Board and the Department of Revenue, and imposes penalties for noncompliance. It establishes application and renewal processes for permits, labeling and age-verification requirements, audit rights, and penalties for violations, while giving the ABC Board authority to adopt rules and clarifies local-funding considerations under the state constitution.

Who It Affects

• Licensed wine manufacturers in Alabama (or those with a federal wine permit) who may obtain a wine direct shipper permit to ship wine directly to residents and must collect taxes, file reports, and comply with labeling, age-verification, and audit requirements.
• Alabama residents age 21 and older who may receive wine shipments directly, subject to volume limits, proper labeling, age verification at delivery, and required record-keeping and tax compliance, as well as common carriers delivering to these residents who must verify age, obtain signatures, and report shipments.

Key Provisions

• Creates a wine direct shipper permit allowing licensed wine manufacturers to ship table wine directly to Alabama residents 21+ for personal use, up to 12 cases per resident per 12 months, with each case not exceeding 9 liters.
• Direct shipper permit applicants must file with the ABC Board, pay a $200 filing fee, and provide current manufacturer license or federal basic wine manufacturing permit.
• Direct shipper permittees must not ship to ABC-licensed premises, must label containers with a conspicuous alcohol warning and age requirement, and must report total wine shipped to consumers in the state and shipping addresses.
• Direct shipper permittees must collect and remit all applicable state and local taxes and excise taxes on sales to Alabama residents and allow audits by the ABC Board or Department of Revenue.
• Direct shipper permittees must obtain from customers an attestation that they are at least 21 years old and consent to enforcement by the ABC Board and Alabama courts; renewal is $100 annually with updated license/permit documentation.
• Common carriers may deliver alcohol to Alabama residents 21+ and must verify age, obtain the recipient’s signature, and keep signatures for at least three years; failure to verify age or maintain records may trigger penalties.
• Common carriers must file quarterly shipment reports with the ABC Board and the Department of Revenue, detailing sender, weight, recipient, tracking numbers, and delivery dates; reports become public records for law enforcement purposes.
• Shipments to residents without a valid direct shipper permit are illegal (Class C misdemeanor); violations may lead to fines or license actions by the ABC Board.
• The bill authorizes the ABC Board to adopt implementing rules and clarifies that the local-funding amendment requirements do not apply due to specific exceptions; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages