SB397 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Will BarfootWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyGarlan GudgerSteve LivingstonClay ScofieldBobby D. Singleton

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Alcoholic beverages, winery in dry county, Alcoholic Beverage Board authorized to issue manufacturer license, distribution only to distributor or out-of-state, Sec. 28-7A-10.1 add; Sec. 28-3A-3 am'd.

Summary

SB397 creates a new wine manufacturer license for dry counties to produce and ship wine to licensed distributors inside or outside Alabama, with detailed rules and reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It allows wine makers in dry counties to obtain a license to produce, bottle, and distribute wine outside their county. The license imposes restrictions on direct sales to retailers or on-premises consumption, requires shipments only to licensed distributors, and mandates label approvals, monthly shipment reporting, and daily production and sales records. It also updates the general licensing rules to allow a wine manufacturer license in dry counties and clarifies distribution limits, with enforcement and board-rule authority, as well as an effective date about three months after approval.

Who It Affects

• Dry county wine manufacturers that want to produce and distribute wine outside their county, subject to licensing, labeling, reporting, and record-keeping requirements.
• Licensed wine distributors (in-state or out-of-state) and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, which will handle licensing, oversight, labeling approvals, shipment reporting, and inspections related to these wine products.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 28-7-10.1 authorizing a wine manufacturer license in dry counties to manufacture, bottle, or otherwise prepare wine for sale outside the county, with a license issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
• Licensee restrictions: no direct sales to retailers or for on-premises consumption; wine must be in original containers and meet U.S. Treasury fill standards; cannot operate additional unlicensed locations.
• Sales/shipment rules: wine produced in a dry county may be sold only for shipment to a licensed wine distributor in Alabama or to a legal distributor outside the state.
• Labeling and compliance: licensees must file label lists and their federal label approvals or exemptions; unregistered labels are contraband and may be seized.
• Reporting and records: licensees must submit monthly consolidated shipment reports to the board and maintain daily records of materials, production, storage, sales, and purchaser information at a principal place of business.
• Inspections and license terms: licenses are subject to inspection at any time; licenses remain valid for the license year; the board may adopt implementing rules.
• Amendment to 28-3A-3: clarifies board authority to issue licenses for various purposes and allows wine manufacturer licenses in dry counties under 28-7-10.1, with restrictions on importer/wholesaler activity in dry counties (except for certain renewals when counties were wet).
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after its passage and governor 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