DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 331 Original 2015 Regular Session Berthelot
Abstract: Transfers the registration and labeling review authority for alcoholic beverages from
Dept. of Health and Hospitals to the office of alcohol and tobacco control.
Present law requires all manufacturers, packers, or proprietors of processed foods, proprietary or
patent medicines, prophylactic devices, and cosmetics, in package form, to register each separate and
distinct product annually with the Dept. of Health and Hospitals.
Proposed law retains present law but adds an exemption for alcoholic beverages as defined in present
law.
Proposed law requires the commissioner of the office of alcohol and tobacco control to provide by
rule for the registration, including submission and review of the container label, of all alcoholic
beverages prior to being sold in this state.
Proposed law authorizes the commissioner to require the use of an electronic submission system by
any person submitting an alcoholic beverage for registration and review.
Proposed law provides that the submission of a catalog and specimens of labels prepared in
compliance with the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall constitute
satisfactory compliance for the registration of products and labels, and the registration is effective
upon submission of a completed application.
Proposed law requires all administrative rules previously adopted by the Dept. of Health and
Hospitals relative to the registration of or review of labels for alcoholic beverages to remain in full
force and effect until such time as the commissioner of the office of alcohol and tobacco control
promulgates rules pursuant to proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 40:627(A); Adds R.S. 26:793(D) and R.S. 40:627(E))