Substitute House Bill No. 6854, also known as Public Act No. 25-51, amends various sections of the Connecticut General Statutes related to the regulation of alcoholic liquor. A significant change is the revised definition of "case price" in section 30-1, which introduces specific bottle sizes, such as three thousand seven hundred fifty milliliter and one hundred twenty fifty milliliter bottles, while deleting previous sizes. The bill also establishes that the Commissioner of Consumer Protection cannot authorize fewer quantities or numbers of bottles for any one entity more than eight times in a calendar year. Additionally, the bill modifies permit regulations, clarifying that permits are personal privileges that can be revoked and must be renewed annually, with specific provisions for farm winery permits, including the sale of wine in bulk and direct shipping to consumers.

Further amendments include the requirement for farm winery permit holders to maintain a chronological ledger of transactions and ensure shipments comply with local option laws. The bill allows farm wineries to sell products at farmers' markets and operate up to three retail outlets, with an annual fee of $300 for a manufacturer permit. It also introduces new definitions for "catering establishment" and "qualified managed residential community," allowing these entities to serve alcoholic beverages at events. The bill streamlines the permitting process, requiring applicants to complete a liquor education program by January 1, 2026, and modifies the notification process for permit applications. Overall, the bill aims to enhance regulatory clarity and compliance for businesses involved in the sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages while promoting local agricultural production.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 30-22b, 30-37j, 30-39, 30-47, 30-51, 30-76, 30-87, 30-90, 30-98, 30-101, 30-113, 30-53
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 30-20, 30-22b, 30-39, 30-45, 30-47, 30-87, 30-53
File No. 617: 30-20, 30-22b, 30-39, 30-45, 30-47, 30-87, 30-53
File No. 983: 30-20, 30-22b, 30-39, 30-45, 30-47, 30-87, 30-53
Public Act No. 25-51: 30-20, 30-22b, 30-33, 30-39, 30-45, 30-47, 30-87, 30-53