NY
New York Assembly Bill A06931

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A06931

Introduced
3/18/25  

Caption

Authorizes holders of certain licenses issued by the state liquor authority to engage in the sale or wholesale of ready-to-drink cocktails; corrects certain provisions regarding sale of mead and cider.

Impact

If passed, A06931 would significantly change the landscape of alcohol sales within the city by allowing retail licensees to sell RTD cocktails without incurring additional fees for this privilege. The bill is intended to create a modern retail space that caters to consumer demand for convenience in purchasing alcoholic beverages. It is likely to stimulate local business by diversifying product offerings, thus reflecting changing consumer preferences for ready-to-drink options.

Summary

Bill A06931, known as the 'Ready-to-Drink Cocktail Retail Sales Act', proposes amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and the Tax Law in New York. Its primary aim is to authorize certain license holders issued by the state liquor authority to sell and distribute ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails for off-premises consumption within New York City. The legislation defines RTD cocktails and establishes the conditions under which these beverages may be sold, including regulations around purchasing from licensed wholesalers or manufacturers.

Contention

Despite its potential economic benefits, the proposal may also spark considerable debate. Proponents argue that the bill aligns with contemporary market trends and consumer behavior, while detractors may raise concerns about public health implications, particularly with easier access to alcoholic beverages. Issues like underage drinking, responsible consumption, and the impact on local community standards could become focal points in opposition to the legislation.

Companion Bills

NY S06703

Same As Authorizes holders of certain licenses issued by the state liquor authority for consumption off premises to engage in the sale and/or wholesale of ready-to-drink cocktails; provides that such provisions relating to the direct sale of RTD cocktails shall only apply within the city of New York; provides for the taxation of ready-to-drink cocktails.

Previously Filed As

NY S07864

Authorizes the sale of non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beverages by licensees and wholesalers; defines non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beverages.

NY A08945

Authorizes the sale of non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beverages by licensees and wholesalers; defines non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beverages.

NY S06785

Relates to the effectiveness of provisions of law relating to the powers of the chairman and members of the state liquor authority (Part A); provides for certain temporary permits (Part B); authorizes special permits to remain open during certain hours of the morning (Part C); permits certain retail licensees to purchase wine and liquor from certain other retail licensees (Part D); relates to permissible sales by license holders (Part E); allows multiple off-premises licenses (Part F); relates to licensing restrictions for manufacturers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages and retail licensees (Part G); relates to the approval of seven day licenses to sell liquor at retail for consumption off the premises (Part H); adjusts licensing fees regarding certain alcoholic beverages (Part I); relates to notifying municipalities of the filing of certain applications (Part J); relates to changes of ownership of a licensed business (Part K); relates to the issuance of temporary retail permits; makes permanent certain provisions relating to liquidator's permits and temporary retail permits (Part L); establishes a temporary wholesale permit and allows multiple wholesale licenses owned by the same person or entity to be located at the same premises (Part M); relates to licenses issued for on-premises consumption within a certain distance of a building occupied as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship with consent of such building's owner or administrator (Part N); permits licenses for premises located within five hundred feet of other premises outside of certain counties (Part O); permits the sale of wine and liquor on levels other than street level (Part P).

NY A09244

Relates to the effectiveness of provisions of law relating to the powers of the chairman and members of the state liquor authority (Part A); provides for certain temporary permits (Part B); authorizes special permits to remain open during certain hours of the morning (Part C); permits certain retail licensees to purchase wine and liquor from certain other retail licensees (Part D); relates to permissible sales by license holders (Part E); allows multiple off-premises licenses (Part F); relates to licensing restrictions for manufacturers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages and retail licensees (Part G); relates to the approval of seven day licenses to sell liquor at retail for consumption off the premises (Part H); adjusts licensing fees regarding certain alcoholic beverages (Part I); relates to notifying municipalities of the filing of certain applications (Part J); relates to changes of ownership of a licensed business (Part K); relates to the issuance of temporary retail permits; makes permanent certain provisions relating to liquidator's permits and temporary retail permits (Part L); establishes a temporary wholesale permit and allows multiple wholesale licenses owned by the same person or entity to be located at the same premises (Part M); relates to licenses issued for on-premises consumption within a certain distance of a building occupied as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship with consent of such building's owner or administrator (Part N); permits licenses for premises located within five hundred feet of other premises outside of certain counties (Part O); permits the sale of wine and liquor on levels other than street level (Part P).

NY A07509

Relates to the hours during which liquor and/or wine stores may be open on Sunday (Part A); permits the sale of beer at retail on Sundays; repeals certain provisions of law relating thereto (Part B); authorizes special permits to remain open during certain hours of the morning (Part C); permits certain retail licensees to purchase wine and liquor from certain other retail licensees (Part D); relates to permissible sales by license holders (Part E); allows multiple off-premises licenses (Part F); relates to licensing restrictions for manufacturers and wholesalers of alcoholic beverages and retail licensees (Part G); relates to the approval of seven day licenses to sell liquor at retail for consumption off the premises (Part H); adjusts licensing fees regarding certain alcoholic beverages (Part I); relates to notifying municipalities of the filing of certain applications (Part J); relates to changes of ownership of a licensed business (Part K); relates to the issuance of temporary retail permits; makes permanent certain provisions relating to liquidator's permits and temporary retail permits (Part L); relates to the issuance of temporary wholesale permits (Part M); relates to licenses issued for on premises consumption within two hundred feet of a building occupied as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship (Part N); repeals certain provisions relating to licenses for premises located within five hundred feet of other licensed premises (Part O).

NY A02799

Permits the sale of certain food items in liquor stores; repeals certain provisions relating to the ownership of more than one liquor license.

NY A02482

Prohibits certain fees from being imposed by licensed wholesalers on licensed retailers.

NY S04351

Prohibits certain fees from being imposed by licensed wholesalers on licensed retailers.

NY A09078

Prohibits certain fees from being imposed by licensed wholesalers on licensed retailers.

NY S02852

Authorizes the direct intrastate and interstate shipment of liquor, cider, mead, and braggot; relates to direct shipments of wine.

Similar Bills

NC H921

ABC & Gaming Omnibus Bill

ME LD1855

An Act to Repeal the Low-alcohol Spirits Product Tax

NY S06703

Authorizes holders of certain licenses issued by the state liquor authority for consumption off premises to engage in the sale and/or wholesale of ready-to-drink cocktails; provides that such provisions relating to the direct sale of RTD cocktails shall only apply within the city of New York; provides for the taxation of ready-to-drink cocktails.

PA SB688

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, further providing for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores; in licenses and regulations relating to liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for liquor importers' licenses, fees, privileges and restrictions, providing for ready-to-drink cocktail permit and for authority to acquire ready-to-drink cocktail permits and further providing for distributors' and importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc, for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees, for unlawful acts relative to liquor, malt and brewed beverages and licensees; and, in distilleries, wineries, bonded warehouses, bailees for hire and transporters for hire, further providing for limited distilleries and distilleries.

NH HB407

Relative to regulations on alcohol.

PA HB1750

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Liquor Stores, further providing for sales by Pennsylvania Liquor Stores; in licenses and regulations, liquor, alcohol and malt and brewed beverages, further providing for heading of article, for authority to issue liquor licenses to hotels, restaurants and clubs, for sales by liquor licensees and restrictions, for secondary service area, for sale of malt or brewed beverages by liquor licensees, for public service liquor licenses, for liquor importers' licenses, fees, privileges and restrictions, for public venue license, for performing arts facility license, for continuing care retirement community retail licenses, for casino liquor license, for malt and brewed beverages manufacturers', distributors' and importing distributors' licenses, for sales by manufacturers of malt or brewed beverages and minimum quantities and for distributors' and importing distributors' restrictions on sales, storage, etc; adding provisions relating to fees and taxation of ready-to-drink cocktails for off-premises consumption; and further providing for unlawful acts relative to malt or brewed beverages and licensees.

MD HB663

Alcoholic Beverage Tax - Ready-to-Drink Cocktails

OK SB809

Alcoholic beverages; allowing certain licensee to participate in curbside pickup or delivery of sealed alcoholic beverages. Effective date.