2016 -- H 7705

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE

LICENSES

     Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Casey, Johnston, Barros, and Morin

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 3-6-1 and 3-6-1.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 3-6 entitled

"Manufacturing and Wholesale Licenses" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     3-6-1. Manufacturer's license. -- (a) A manufacturer's license authorizes the holder to

establish and operate a brewery, distillery, or winery at the place described in the license for the

manufacture of beverages within this state. The license does not authorize more than one of the

activities of operator of a brewery or distillery or winery and a separate license shall be required

for each plant.

      (b) The license also authorizes the sale at wholesale at the licensed place by the

manufacturer of the product of the licensed plant to another license holder and the transportation

and delivery from the place of sale to a licensed place or to a common carrier for that delivery.

The license does not authorize the sale of beverages for consumption on premises where sold

provided that the manufacturer does not sell an amount in excess of three hundred seventy-five

milliliters (375 ml) per visitor of distilled spirits and seventy-two ounces (72 oz) per visitor for

malt beverages per day. The license does authorize the sale of beverages produced on the

premises by the half gallon bottle known as a "growler" to consumers for off-premises

consumption to be sold pursuant to the laws governing retail Class A establishments. The sale of

beverages for off-premises consumption shall be sealed in bottles or other sealed containers. The

license does not authorize the sale of beverages in this state for delivery outside this state in

violation of the law of the place of delivery. The license holder may provide to visitors in

conjunction with a tour and/or tasting, samples, clearly marked as samples, not to exceed three

hundred seventy-five milliliters (375 ml) per visitor for distilled spirits and seventy-two ounces

(72 oz) per visitor for malt beverages at the licensed plant by the manufacturer of the product of

the licensed plant to visitors for off-premise consumption. The license does not authorize

providing samples to a visitor of any alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption that are

not manufactured at the licensed plant.

     (c) The annual fee for the license is three thousand dollars ($3,000) for a distillery, five

hundred dollars ($500) for a brewery, and one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for a

winery producing more than fifty thousand (50,000) gallons or more per year and five hundred

dollars ($500) per year for a winery producing less than fifty thousand (50,000) gallons or less

per year. All those fees are prorated to the year ending December 1 in every calendar year and

shall be paid to the division of taxation and be turned over to the general treasurer for the use of

the state.

     3-6-1.2. Brewpub manufacturer's license. -- (a) A brewpub manufacturer's license shall

authorize the holder to establish and operate a brewpub within this state. The brewpub

manufacturer's license shall authorize the retail sale of the beverages manufactured on the

location for consumption on the premises. The license shall not authorize the retail sale of

beverages from any location other than the location set forth in the license. A brewpub may sell at

retail alcoholic beverages produced on the premises by the half-gallon bottle known as a

"growler" to consumers for off the premises consumption to be sold pursuant to the laws

governing retail Class A establishments.

      (b) The license shall also authorize the sale at wholesale at the licensed place by the

manufacturer of the product of his or her licensed plant as well as beverages produced for the

brewpub and sold under the brewpub's name to a holder of a wholesaler's license and the

transportation and delivery from the place of sale to the licensed wholesaler or to a common

carrier for that delivery.

      (c) The brewpub manufacturer's license further authorizes the sale of beverages

manufactured on the premises to any person holding a valid wholesaler's and importer's license

under § 3-6-9 or 3-6-11.

      (d) The annual fee for the license is one thousand dollars ($1,000) for a brewpub

producing more than fifty thousand (50,000) gallons or more per year and five hundred dollars

($500) per year for a brewpub producing less than fifty thousand (50,000) gallons or less per year.

The annual fee is prorated to the year ending December 1 in every calendar year and paid to the

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division of taxation and turned over to the general treasurer for the use of the state.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES -- MANUFACTURING AND WHOLESALE

LICENSES

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     This act would allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises of a

manufacturer of said beverages and would allow the sale of said beverages for off-premises

consumption. It would also amend the fee schedule for these licenses.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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