SB172 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Alcoholic beverages, direct line shippers, fulfillment centers, may ship to any county or municipality, application further provided for, exempt from registration as foreign entity with Sec. of State, Secs. 28-3A-6.1, 28-3A-6.2 am'd.

Summary

SB172 would expand direct wine shipping in Alabama by letting direct wine shippers and wine fulfillment centers ship wine to residents anywhere in the state, relax certain license requirements, and exempt these licensees from foreign-entity registration.

What This Bill Does

It allows direct wine shippers to ship up to 12 cases per resident per year (each case up to 9 liters) to Alabama residents 21 or older for personal use, and allows wine fulfillment centers to ship on behalf of shippers to any county or municipality. It relaxes many application requirements (no mandatory background checks, citizenship proof, in-person meetings, or extra liquor liability insurance) and imposes new reporting and labeling obligations, tax collection, and potential audits. It also exempts these licensees from registering as foreign entities and introduces penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Direct wine shipper licensees and wine fulfillment center licensees: gain expanded shipping authority to all counties, face relaxed application requirements, must meet new labeling/reporting/tax rules, and must comply with penalties and recordkeeping.
• Alabama residents 21 and older: may receive wine shipments anywhere in the state for personal use, with age verification, required labeling, and tax collection on purchases; shipments are subject to location and recipient restrictions.

Key Provisions

• Allows direct wine shippers to ship wine directly to Alabama residents in any county or municipality, including dry counties.
• Direct wine shippers may ship up to 12 cases per resident per 12 months, with each case not exceeding 9 liters, for personal use.
• Wine must be produced by the licensee or under contract or exclusively produced for the licensee, and shipments must be from the licensee's premises or via a wine fulfillment center.
• Relaxed application requirements: no mandatory liquor liability insurance beyond existing requirements, no background checks, no identification proof, and no in-person meetings.
• Exempts direct wine shippers and wine fulfillment centers from registering as foreign entities with the Secretary of State.
• Requires labeling on wine containers and attestation of age by customers; quarterly reporting to the board with detailed shipment information; collection and remittance of applicable taxes; and board/Department of Revenue audit rights.
• Penalties for violations include civil fines (up to $500 first, $3,000 second, $6,000 third or subsequent) and potential Class C misdemeanor for unauthorized shipments.
• Wine fulfillment centers may operate as bailees for direct shippers, must license per premises ($500) plus $100 for each additional premises, and must contract with direct wine shippers while maintaining a compliance program and verifying license validity.
• Fulfillment centers must maintain records for at least 3 years, provide quarterly shipment details, and permit board audits.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and allows the board to adopt implementing rules.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages