The bill SB285 amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the regulatory framework for wine festivals and small farm wineries. It allows nonprofit organizations, specifically 501(c) organizations and other nonprofit organizations as defined by the board's rules, to apply for licenses to host wine festivals, streamlining the application process by reducing the fee from $15 to $10. The bill mandates that wine sold at these festivals must be sealed and labeled according to legal standards, and limits individual purchases to one case of wine. Additionally, it requires wine festival licensees to register with local governing bodies and collect local sales taxes, which must be remitted within seven days after the festival. Moreover, SB285 expands the definition of "table wine" to include mead and clarifies the criteria for small farm wineries, which are defined as those producing fewer than 50,000 gallons of table wine annually. It allows these wineries to sell directly to consumers and transport limited quantities to licensed retailers, while ensuring they are not disqualified due to catastrophic losses. The bill also introduces new tax provisions for table wine and mead, establishing specific tax rates based on alcohol content and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. Overall, the legislation aims to promote the wine industry in Alabama while ensuring adherence to existing laws and regulations regarding the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-3A-20, 28-6A-2
Engrossed: 28-3A-20, 28-6A-2
Enrolled: 28-3A-20, 28-6A-2