What's happening
This bill doubles the number of wine and liquor auctions allowed per year in New York from 24 to 48.
Why it matters
Expanding the number of allowable auctions could boost the secondary market for rare and valuable wines and liquors, making it easier for collectors, enthusiasts, and sellers to participate more frequently throughout the year.
This change may increase revenue for auction houses and the state, as more events mean more opportunities for sales, fees, and taxation on high-value bottles.
The increased frequency could also attract more out-of-state and international interest, potentially raising New York's profile as a major hub for fine wine and spirits auctions.
By doubling the permitted number of auctions, the law could encourage more transparency and regulation in the trade of collectible alcohol, reducing the incentive for unlicensed or underground sales.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Double Wine Auction Limit
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 40
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Print number 5331a
- Amend and recommit to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Double Wine Auction Limit
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Amy Paulin
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5331--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 21, 2017
Introduced by Sen. MURPHY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the sale of privately held wines and liquors
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subdivision 2 of section 99-g of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 445 of the laws of 2012, is amended to read as follows:
(b) A wine and liquor auction permit shall be issued for a calendar year. A wine and liquor auction permit shall allow the holder to conduct [twenty-four] forty-eight auctions of wine and/or liquor during the period the wine and liquor auction permit shall be in effect.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06313-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the sale of privately held wines and liquors
Purpose
To allow a wine and liquor auction permit holder to conduct forty-eight auctions of wine and/or liquor during the period the wine and liquor permit shall be in effect.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends paragraph b of subdivision 2 of section 99-g of the alcoholic beverage control law to allow a wine and liquor auction permit holder to conduct forty-eight auctions of wine and/or liquor during the period the wine and liquor permit shall be in effect.
Section two provides the effective date.
Justification
In 1994, New York authorized licensed retailers to conduct wine and liquor auctions. As a result, New York became a center of this growing world-wide business, particularly as collectors of fine wines sought to add to their collections, or conversely dispose of them. As the nationwide, and worldwide, interest in wine auctions continues to grow, the current limit of 24 auctions has become an impediment to the industry. Other states, such as California, have no such limit. It should be noted that besides providing jobs, a single auction can typically produce about $75,000 in sales taxes to the state.
In order to maintain its position as a center of the worldwide wine and liquor auction industry, New York should allow forty-eight auctions, rather than keep the yearly limit of 24 in place. With frequent internet auctions now becoming the norm, maintaining such a low numerical limit will force New York retailers to re-locate their auctions to other states or become uncompetitive.
All other controls on the sale of alcoholic beverages will remain in place with this legislation. Only the frequency of such sales is at issue. Retailers must still obtain a permit to conduct auctions, and only retailers with a prescribed amount of experience are eligible to apply for a permit. No change in these restrictions is contemplated.
New York remains a strong competitor in the auction market, but in order to maintain that position, the limit of 24 yearly auctions, which serves no desirable regulatory purpose, should be eliminated.
Legislative history
2016: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations
Fiscal implications
No negative fiscal impact to the state. There is a potential for increased sales tax revenue.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.