New Hampshire Senate Bill SB21

New Hampshire 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/23
• Refer: 1/5/23
• Report Pass: 1/10/23
• Engrossed: 3/20/23
• Refer: 3/20/23
• Report Pass: 5/12/23
• Enrolled: 7/19/23
• Chaptered: 8/9/23
• Passed: 8/9/23

Caption

Relative to the due date and delivery of monthly reports and fees to the liquor commission.

Impact

The bill is expected to simplify compliance for liquor manufacturers, rectifiers, wine manufacturers, and brewpubs by allowing them to submit their fees and reports electronically. This shift towards electronic submission reflects an effort to modernize the reporting process and reduce administrative burdens on both the licensees and the commission. Additionally, businesses will benefit from enhanced operational efficiency as they will have more flexibility in managing their reporting timelines.

Summary

Senate Bill 21 (SB21) aims to modify the requirements for liquor licensees regarding the submission of monthly reports and the payment of associated fees to the liquor commission. The primary changes include shifting the due date for these reports and fees from the tenth to the fifteenth of the month following the sale or distribution of alcoholic beverages. This adjustment is intended to provide licensees with additional time to gather and submit accurate reporting information to the commission, which is particularly beneficial for new or smaller businesses that may require more time to fulfill these obligations.

Contention

While SB21 is anticipated to ease some reporting challenges for liquor businesses, discussions around it may include concerns related to enforcement mechanisms and the commission's ability to monitor compliance effectively with electronic submissions. Stakeholders may also debate whether the simplification of timelines will lead to compliance issues or a decline in the quality of reporting, which is critical for maintaining regulatory oversight. As such, this bill could catalyze further discussions on the balance between easing business burdens and ensuring effective oversight within the liquor industry.