The proposed bill, SB316, introduces a new section, 28-3A-6.5, to the Code of Alabama 1975, establishing an Educational Tourism Distillery license. This license, issued by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, is aimed at individuals or entities producing at least 100,000 gallons of liquor annually, with a requirement that 50% of gross sales come from on-site manufactured products. The bill outlines operational parameters for licensees, including the sale of liquor, wine, and beer for on-premises consumption, conducting educational tours, and imposing taxes on produced liquor. Additionally, it amends Section 28-3A-21 to set a license fee and modifies Section 28-6A-2 to allow these distilleries to purchase table wine from small farm wineries.

Furthermore, SB316 includes several amendments to existing laws governing small farm wineries, allowing them to count table wine produced for them by other manufacturers towards their production limit and ensuring that catastrophic losses do not disqualify them from being recognized as small farm wineries. The bill permits these wineries to sell and transport their table wine to educational tourism distilleries for on-premises consumption, while prohibiting local governments from imposing additional fees or taxes on them. It also requires wineries to maintain records and report monthly sales to the board. The bill is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and aims to streamline regulations while promoting educational tourism and compliance within Alabama's alcoholic beverage industry.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-3A-21, 28-3A-6, 28-3A-6, 28-3A-21, 28-3A-21
Engrossed: 28-3A-21, 28-6A-2
Enrolled: 28-3A-21, 28-6A-2