The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Alan Miller.
DIGEST
SB 19 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Talbot
Present law provides that a Class A-General retail (bar) permit is issued only to a retail outlet where
beverage alcohol is sold for consumption on the premises by paying customers, and:
(1)Equipped with a permanent wet bar equipped with a non-movable sink and a backbar or
similar equipment for public display and to inform the public of brands and flavors offered
for sale.
(2)Staffed by a bartender whose primary duty is to open and/or prepare beverage alcohol
products for consumption on the premises by paying customers, or prepared with an
appropriate lid or cover on the container for take out service.
(3)Issued only to an establishment where no person under the age of 18 years is allowed on the
premises.
Present law provides that before engaging in the bar business, all persons are required to obtain from
the commissioner the office of alcohol and tobacco control (ATC), a Class A-General retail permit
to conduct each separate business and pay the commissioner a fee of $200 per location in any city
and $100 per location in a town, village, or unincorporated place for each year the permit is valid.
Present law further requires a fee of $100 for each $100,000 of gross retail liquor sales (after the first
$100,000 of gross retail liquor sales), up to $600.
Proposed law provides that notwithstanding present law, a Class A-General permit holder that timely
paid its permit fees due to the commissioner during the 2020 calendar year, shall have its permit fees
due during the 2021 calendar year waived.
Proposed law provides that notwithstanding present law, a Class A-General permit holder that timely
paid its permit fees due to the commissioner during the 2020 calendar year, subsequently surrendered
its permit to the commissioner during the 2020 calendar year, and was in good standing with the
commissioner at the time of the surrender, shall be issued a refund in the amount paid no later than
December 31, 2020.
Present law defines "beverages of low alcoholic content" as alcoholic beverages containing not more
than six percent alcohol by volume.
Present law requires that a Class A-General permit holder dealing in malt beverages or beverages
of low alcoholic content obtain from the commissioner a permit to conduct each separate business
and pay a permit fee for each location in the amount of $70. Proposed law provides that notwithstanding present law, a Class A-General permit holder that timely
paid its malt beverages or beverages of low alcoholic content permit fees due to the commissioner
during the 2020 calendar year, shall have its permit fees due during the 2021 calendar year waived.
Proposed law provides that notwithstanding present law, a Class A-General permit holder that timely
paid its malt beverages or beverages of low alcoholic content permit fees due to the commissioner
during the 2020 calendar year, subsequently surrendered its permit to the commissioner during the
2020 calendar year, and was in good standing with the commissioner at the time of the surrender,
shall be issued a refund in the amount paid no later than December 31, 2020.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 26:71(A)(3)(f) and 271(A)(7))