What's happening
This bill allows New York distilleries to sell any New York state labeled alcoholic beverage, not just liquor, for on-premises consumption.
Why it matters
Expands what distilleries can serve. By allowing distilleries to sell any New York state labeled alcoholic beverage—not just their own liquor—this bill could make tasting rooms more attractive and versatile for visitors, fostering a broader local beverage culture.
Benefits small producers and cross-industry collaboration. The change encourages partnerships between distilleries, breweries, and wineries, potentially boosting sales of all New York-made alcoholic drinks and supporting the state's broader craft beverage industry.
Enhances consumer experience. Visitors to distilleries will now have a wider selection of beverages to enjoy on-site, which could increase tourism, event hosting, and overall customer satisfaction at these venues.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow NY Alcohol at Distilleries
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to economic development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.319
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
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.
Allow Local Spirits at Farms
In Assembly Committee · Economic Development · Sponsor Patrick Burke
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1110
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KENNEDY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
AN ACT to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to distiller's licenses
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (e) of subdivision 2-c of section 61 of the alcoholic beverage control law, as amended by chapter 431 of the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
(i) sell at retail for consumption on the licensed premises, any [liquor manufactured by the licensee or any] New York state labeled [liquor] alcoholic beverage. Provided, however, the licensee shall regularly keep food available for sale or service to its retail customers for consumption on the premises. A licensee providing the following shall be deemed in compliance with this provision: sandwiches, soups or other such foods, whether fresh, processed, pre-cooked or frozen; and/or food items intended to [compliment] complement the tasting of alcoholic beverages, which shall mean a diversified selection of food that is ordinarily consumed without the use of tableware and can be conveniently consumed while standing or walking, including but not limited to: cheese, fruits, vegetables, chocolates, breads, mustards and crackers. All of the provisions of this chapter relative to licenses to sell liquor at retail for consumption on the premises shall apply so far as applicable to such licensee; and
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01867-02-9
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 distiller's licenses
Purpose
To create parity in the licenses of the farm based beverage sector for on-premises consumption.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the alcoholic beverage control law, section 61(2-c)(a)(v), (vi), and (vii) to correct the spelling of "labeled."
Section 2 amends the alcoholic beverage control law, section 61(2-c) (e)(1) to permit farm distillers to sell any New York state labeled alcoholic beverage at retail for consumption on or off a farm distillery's premises.
Section 3 provides the effective date.
Justification
With newly enacted laws in summer 2016, farm breweries, farm wineries, and farm cideries are permitted to sell beer, spirits, cider or wine, manufactured by the licensee or any other licensed farm brewery, farm winery, farm cidery, or farm distillery for consumption on or off the licensed premises. However, only farm distilleries are not able to sell the same range of products. These manufacturers have similar business interests and similar customers, yet farm distilleries are restricted in their retail sales for on premises and off premises consumption. This bill will create common sense parity among the farm producers.
The alcoholic beverage production sector has been booming in New York, with support from the legislature, executive, as well as state liquor authority. This bill will allow for continued growth among these farm providers as well as local businesses.
Finally, this legislation corrects a spelling error from revisions to the alcoholic beverage control law in 1976.
Legislative history
2017-18: S.657 2015-16: S.8204 Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None.
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.