Alcoholic beverage control; privatization of government stores. (SB1417)

Introduced By

Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg)

Description

Alcoholic beverage control; retail privatization.  Provides for the full implementation of retail privatization of distilled spirits by January 1, 2013. Under the provisions of the bill the ABC Board is to develop a plan for the discontinuation of government stores by December 31, 2011, at which time the process of auctioning of retail licenses for distilled spirits will begin. The ABC Board will still operate the warehouse for the wholesale sale of distilled spirits and wine produced by farm wineries. The bill creates a new distilled spirits retail license, which will be granted to successful bidders at an auction conducted by the ABC Board, and sets out the privileges of the license and the rates for the annual state and local license taxes. Under the provisions of the bill, these new licenses are transferable, are categorized by tier depending on square footage of the retail space and shelf space of the successful bidder, and are limited in number to one license per 8,000 people in each locality. Among other things, the bill (i) allows the new licensees the ability to set prices in accordance with their own individual business plans and in response to market conditions; (ii) provides that no one business entity shall be awarded more than 25 percent of the total number of distilled spirits retail licenses granted in any one tier, nor shall more than 25 percent of the total number of distilled spirits retail licenses in any one tier be held by businesses under common control; and (iii) provides that all revenue generated from the initial auction of distilled spirits retail licenses shall be deposited in the Transportation Trust Fund. The bill contains numerous technical amendments and has a delayed effective date to coincide with the full implementation of retail privatization by January 1, 2013. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History