SCS HB 1631 -- LIQUOR CONTROL

This bill makes several changes regarding liquor control.  The
bill:

(1)  Allows a wholesaler to exchange for an equal quantity of
identical product or give credit to a retailer for intoxicating
liquor with an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer that
is damaged;

(2)  Allows a wholesaler to replace with an equal quantity of
like product or give credit, under certain conditions, to a
retailer for undamaged products to assure and control product
quality;

(3)  Allows a distiller or wholesaler to install dispensing
equipment for premixed distilled spirit beverages at a retail
business establishment.  Records of such equipment must be kept
by the distiller or wholesaler for at least one year;

(4)  Allows wholesalers to give a retail credit for intoxicating
liquor sold, but not used, under a catering permit.  The liquor
must be removed by the wholesaler within 72 hours of the
expiration of the catering permit; and

(5)  Allows the Supervisor of the Division of Liquor Control to
grant approval for sale of a malt product or spirituous liquor
products without product samples and testing if provided with a
copy of the certificate of label approval issued by the Federal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms which verifies the
alcohol content of the product.

HB 1631 -- LIQUOR CONTROL (Hoppe)

This bill makes several changes regarding liquor control.  The
bill:

(1)  Allows a wholesaler to exchange for an equal quantity of
identical product or give credit to a retailer for intoxicating
liquor with an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer that
is damaged;

(2)  Allows a wholesaler to replace with an equal quantity of
like product or give credit, under certain conditions, to a
retailer for undamaged products to assure and control product
quality;

(3)  Allows a distiller or wholesaler to install dispensing
equipment for premixed distilled spirit beverages at a retail
business establishment.  Records of such equipment must be kept
by the distiller or wholesaler for at least one year;

(4)  Prohibits retailers from selling intoxicating liquor with
an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer in an original
carton that has been mutilated, torn apart, or cut apart.
Retailers are also prohibited from repackaging such liquor in a
misleading manner or in a manner that results in required
labeling being omitted or obscured;

(5)  Allows wholesalers to give a retail credit for intoxicating
liquor sold, but not used, under the catering permit.  The
liquor must be removed by the wholesaler within 72 hours of the
expiration of the catering permit; and

(6)  Allows the Supervisor of the Division of Liquor Control to
grant approval for sale of a malt product or spirituous liquor
products without product samples and testing if provided with a
copy of the certificate of label approval issued by the Federal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms which verifies the
alcohol content of the product.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1631 -- LIQUOR CONTROL

SPONSOR:  Hoppe

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 19 to 0.

This bill makes several changes regarding liquor control.  The
bill:

(1)  Allows a wholesaler to exchange for an equal quantity of
identical product or give credit to a retailer for intoxicating
liquor with an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer that
is damaged;

(2)  Allows a wholesaler to replace with an equal quantity of
like product or give credit, under certain conditions, to a
retailer for undamaged products to assure and control product
quality;

(3)  Allows a distiller or wholesaler to install dispensing
equipment for premixed distilled spirit beverages at a retail
business establishment.  Records of such equipment must be kept
by the distiller or wholesaler for at least one year;

(4)  Prohibits retailers from selling intoxicating liquor with
an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer in an original
carton that has been mutilated, torn apart, or cut apart.
Retailers are also prohibited from repackaging such liquor in a
misleading manner or in a manner that results in required
labeling being omitted or obscured;

(5)  Allows wholesalers to give a retail credit for intoxicating
liquor sold, but not used, under the catering permit.  The
liquor must be removed by the wholesaler within 72 hours of the
expiration of the catering permit; and

(6)  Allows the Supervisor of the Division of Liquor Control to
grant approval for sale of a malt product or spirituous liquor
products without product samples and testing if provided with a
copy of the certificate of label approval issued by the Federal
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms which verifies the
alcohol content of the product.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will insure quality
control.  Retailers are breaking packages that have a born-on
date.  The bill allows easier return of liquor to wholesalers.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Hoppe; Missouri Beer
Wholesalers Association; Missouri Licensed Beverage Association;
and Missouri Wine and Spirits Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the bill is not
needed.  Federal laws already control trade practices.  Many
retailers must repackage beer into smaller packages because beer
delivery doesn't supply the small packages often enough.  Every
can of beer has a born-on date and the package dates aren't as
important.  Wholesalers are trying to control pricing by
restricting the repackaging of beer.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Association of Beverage
Retailers.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 1631 -- Liquor Control

Sponsor:  Hoppe

This bill makes several changes regarding liquor control.  The
bill:

(1)  Allows a wholesaler to exchange for an equal quantity of
identical product or give credit to a retailer for intoxicating
liquor with an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer that
is damaged;

(2)  Allows a wholesaler to replace with an equal quantity of
like product or give credit, under certain conditions, to a
retailer for undamaged products to assure and control product
quality;

(3)  Allows a distiller or wholesaler to install dispensing
equipment for premixed distilled spirit beverages at a retail
business establishment.  Records of such equipment must be kept
by the distiller or wholesaler for at least one year;

(4)  Prohibits retailers from selling intoxicating liquor with
an alcohol content of less than 5% or 3.2% beer in an original
carton that has been mutilated, torn apart, or cut apart.
Retailers are also prohibited from repackaging such liquor in a
misleading manner or in a manner that results in required
labeling being omitted or obscured;

(5)  Allows wholesalers to give a retail credit for intoxicating
liquor sold, but not used, under the catering permit.  The
liquor must be removed by the wholesaler within 72 hours of the
expiration of the catering permit; and

(6)  Allows the Supervisor of Liquor Control to grant approval
for sale of a malt product or spirituous liquor products without
product samples and testing if provided with a copy of
certificate of label approval issued by the Federal Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms which verifies the alcohol
content of the product.