BILL NUMBER: S2853A
SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to
permitting certain retail licensees to purchase wine and liquor from
certain other retail licensees
PURPOSE:
This bill would allow on-premises retail licensees like bars and restau-
rants to buy and resell small quantities of alcohol from wine and liquor
stores.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Amends section 106 of the alcoholic-beverage control law by
adding a new subdivision 2-b, which authorizes on-premises retail licen-
sees to buy up to 12 bottles of wine and liquor per week from off-prem-
ises retail licensees for resale and consumption.
Section 2 - Amends section 105 of the alcoholic beverage control law by
adding a new subdivision 25, which authorizes off-premises retail licen-
sees to sell up to 12 bottles of wine and liquor per week to on-premises
retail licensees for resale and consumption.
Section 3 - Effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
When on-premises retail licensees like bars and restaurants run out of
wine and liquor, they have no flexibility to immediately replenish those
bottles outside of arranging a purchase/delivery of such products from
their wholesaler. Unfortunately, two likely outcomes exist: (1) eating
and drinking establishments lose out on revenue, and (2) paying patrons,
including those at private and catered parties, miss out on their
preferred beverages. This bill would grant a little leeway to on-premis-
es retail licensees to quickly and easily buy small quantities of alco-
hol from a nearby liquor store without upending the traditional wholes-
aler-retailer relationship.
FISCAL IMPACT ON THE STATE:
Potentially greater tax revenue.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
Senate:
S8965 of 2022, S2853 of 2023-24 - Referred to Investigations and Govern-
ment Operations
Assembly:
A10309 of 2022, A9112 of 2024 - Referred to Economic Development
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately.
Statutes affected: S2853: 106 alcoholic beverage control law, 105 alcoholic beverage control law
S2853A: 106 alcoholic beverage control law, 105 alcoholic beverage control law