This bill amends the Arkansas Code to redefine "beer" and adjust the allowable alcoholic content in beer and malt beverages. The definition of beer is updated to include any fermented liquor made from malt or substitutes with an alcoholic content not exceeding fourteen percent (14%) by weight, replacing the previous limit of five percent (5%). Additionally, malt beverages are explicitly included in this definition. The bill also modifies various sections of the Arkansas Code to reflect this new definition and the increased alcohol content limit, ensuring consistency across related laws.

Key changes include the removal of references to the previous five percent (5%) limit and the insertion of the new fourteen percent (14%) threshold in multiple sections, including those governing the manufacture, sale, and taxation of beer. The bill aims to regulate the production and sale of beer and malt beverages more effectively while preventing the illicit manufacture of higher-alcohol-content liquors. Overall, this legislation seeks to modernize the state's alcohol laws in line with current industry standards.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1173 V2 - 1-30-2025 10:06 AM: 3-1-102(a), 3-5-201(a), 3-5-202(1), 3-5-214(a), 3-5-221(b), 3-5-221(d), 3-5-227(a), 3-5-1202(2), 3-5-1403(2), 3-5-1901(3), 3-7-104(6), 3-7-116(a), 01-30-2025, 3-8-401, 3-8-601(1)
Old version HB1173 Original - 1-17-2025 04:05 PM: 3-1-102(a), 3-5-201(a), 3-5-202(1), 3-5-214(a), 3-5-221(b), 3-5-221(d), 3-5-227(a), 3-5-1202(2), 3-5-1403(2), 3-5-1901(3), 3-7-104(6), 3-7-116(a), 3-8-401, 3-8-601(1)
HB 1173: 3-1-102(a), 3-5-201(a), 3-5-202(1), 3-5-214(a), 3-5-221(b), 3-5-221(d), 3-5-227(a), 3-5-1202(2), 3-5-1403(2), 3-5-1901(3), 3-7-104(6), 3-7-116(a), 3-8-401, 3-8-601(1)