To Amend The Definition Of "beer" To Change The Allowable Alcoholic Content And To Include Malt Beverages.
Impact
The proposed changes would lead to adjustments in the existing regulatory framework surrounding the manufacture, sale, and taxation of beer within the state. With the new threshold for alcohol content, businesses, especially breweries and distributors, would have opportunities to expand their product offerings to include higher-alcohol content beers and malt beverages. It can potentially stimulate local breweries and boost the state's economy by allowing for diversified product lines that could attract more consumers and, consequently, increase sales tax revenues.
Summary
House Bill 1173 seeks to amend the Arkansas Code regarding the definition and regulation of beer and malt beverages. The bill proposes a significant change in the allowable alcoholic content of beer, raising the limit from five percent (5%) to fourteen percent (14%) by weight. This adjustment is aimed at aligning the state’s regulations with contemporary brewing practices, allowing for a broader range of malt beverages to be classified under the beer category. The alterations would mean that various products currently deemed non-compliant due to their alcohol content would henceforth be recognized legally as beer in Arkansas.
Contention
While this bill is expected to receive broad support from the brewing industry and some market participants, concerns may arise from public health advocate groups who fear that increased permissible alcohol content could lead to higher rates of alcohol consumption and associated harms. Opponents may argue that such a legislative turn could complicate enforcement of alcohol-related laws and public health initiatives. Therefore, while the bill appears beneficial economically, it may experience opposition based on health and community safety arguments.
To Amend The Definition Of "beer" To Change The Allowable Alcoholic Content And To Include Malt Beverages; And To Set The Minimum Container Size Of Beer To Be Sold For Off-premises Consumption.
To Amend The Definition Of "beer" To Change The Allowable Alcoholic Content And To Include Malt Beverages; And To Set The Minimum Container Size Of Beer To Be Sold For Off-premises Consumption.
To Amend The Law Regarding Alcoholic Beverages; And To Amend The Law Related To The Selling Of Alcoholic Beverages With Food Purchase For Delivery Or To Be Consumed Off-premises.
To Amend The Law Regarding Alcoholic Beverages; To Authorize The Third-party Delivery Of Alcoholic Beverages From Certain Retailers; And To Create A Third-party Delivery Permit.
To Amend The Law Regarding Alcoholic Beverages; To Clarify The Violation Regarding The Sale Of Controlled Beverages By Vending Machine; And To Authorize The Sale Through A Dispensing Machine Under Certain Circumstances.
To Amend The Law Regarding Alcoholic Beverages; And To Authorize A State Park To Sell Alcoholic Beverages For On-premises Consumption Without Obtaining A Permit From The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.