SB321 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. Singleton Senator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to alcoholic beverages; to amend Sections 28-3-1, 28-3A-3, 28-3A-21, and 28-3A-23, Code of Alabama 1975 and add Sections 28-3-208, 28-3A-9.1, and 28-3A-17.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975; to define a new category of low-alcohol content liquor beverages called mixed spirit beverages; to levy taxes upon the distribution of these beverages; to provide for licensure of retailers of mixed spirit beverages and set a fee for licensure; to amend Sections 28-10-4, 28-10-5 and 28-10-6, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the responsible vendors program; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Description

Existing law makes no specific provisions regarding the retail sale, wholesale, or tax on the sale of low-alcohol by volume content beverages from liquor. These beverages are not available for distribution through beer and table wine wholesalers.

This bill would define a new category of ready to drink mixed liquor beverages containing no more than 12.5 percent alcohol by volume called "mixed spirit beverages." This bill would require all mixed spirit beverages, other than those distributed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, to be distributed through a licensed wholesaler and sold to licensed retailers in Alabama for on-premises and off-premises consumption.

This bill would provide for the levy of a privilege or excise tax on mixed spirit beverages.

Under existing law, the responsible vendors program requires employees of retail establishments to pass a course of instruction relating to underage drinking and overconsumption of alcoholic beverages.

This course is administered by a third person.

This bill would require the board to administer the course of instruction for the responsible vendors SB321 INTRODUCED program and require that the course be administered online.

This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

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