Req. No. 2587 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022) SENATE BILL 1727 By: Bergstrom AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to alcoholic beverages; providing definitions; creating Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Business Program; requiring the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission to administer program; providing for consultations between an applicant and Commission; requiring an applicant to submit applications; providing for contents of application; requiring Commission to review applications; providing factors for Commission to consider during review; providing for acceptance or denial of application by the Commission; allowing for the Commission’s discretion on denial of applications; providing for reasons of denial; allowing for approved applicants to demonstrate offering in a twelve-month time frame; providing for condition s of an offering by a participant of the program; providing for the sus pension of law or rules necessary for participant to demonstrate offering; prohibiting immunity from criminal offenses by participant; allowing regulatory relief office to end participant’s participation under certain conditions; requiring participant to provide disclosure before demonstration to consumer; providing contents of disclosure; allowing for participant to extend demonstration period at end of twelve -month period; requiring participant to retain all records, documents, and data produ ced during the program; allowing for the Commission to request records, documents, and data from partic ipant; allowing for Commission to dismiss participant for failure to comply; requiring participant to compile report for Commission following the en d of program participation; providing for contents of report; providing for promulgation of rules; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. Req. No. 2587 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new se ction of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-101 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbe ring, reads as follows: As used in this act: 1. “Alcoholic beverage product or services” means an alcoholic beverage product or ser vice that requires lice nsure, registration, or other authorization as regulated by state law or rule, including an alcoholic beverage specific product or alcoholic beverage service that includes a business model, delivery mech anism, or element that requires a license, registration, or othe r authorization to do a n alcoholic beverage specific business, as an alcoholic beverage producer or consultant; 2. “Applicant” means an individual or entity that is applying to participate in the alcoholic beverage specific regulatory business program; 3. “Commission” means the Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission; 4. “Consumer” means a person that purchases or otherwise enters into a transaction agreement to receive an innovative alcoholic beverage specific product or service th at is being tested by an alcoholic beverage specific regulatory bu siness program; Req. No. 2587 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. “Innovation” means the use or incorporation of a new or emerging technology or a new use of existing technology, including blockchain technology, to address a problem, provide a benefit, or otherwise offer a product, service, business model, or delivery mechanism that is not known by the Commission to have a comparable widespread offering in this state. 6. “Innovative product or service” means an alcoholic beverage product or service that includes an innovation; 7. “Participant” means a person whose application to participate in the alcoholic beverage regulatory program is approved in accordance with th e provisions of this act; 8. “Program” means the Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Business Program created in this act, which allows a per son to temporarily test an innovative al coholic beverage product or service on a limited basis without otherwise being licensed or authorized to act under the laws of this state; and 9. “Test” means to provide an innovative alcoholic beverage product or services in accordance with th e provisions of this act. SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-102 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as fol lows: A. The Alcoholic Beverages Law Enforcement Commission shall create the Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Business Program. B. In administering the program, the Commission: Req. No. 2587 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1. Shall Establish a program to enable a person to obtain limited access to the m arket in the state to test an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service without obtaining a license or other authorization that might otherwise be required; 2. May enter into agreements with or foll ow the practices of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or other states that are administering similar programs; and 3. May not approve participation in the program by an applicant or any other participant who has been convicted, entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for a serious crime: a. involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty, b. that bears substantial relationship to the applicant ’s or participant’s ability to safely or competently participate in the program. C. An applicant for the p rogram shall provide to the C ommission an application in a form prescribed by t he Commission that: 1. Includes a refundable application fee ; 2. Demonstrates the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction o f this state; 3. Demonstrates the applicant has established a physical or virtual location that is adequately accessible to the Commission, from which testing will be developed and performed and where al l required records, documents, and data will be main tained; Req. No. 2587 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. Contains relevant personal and contact informa tion for the application, including legal names, a ddresses, telephone numbers, e- mail addresses, website addresses, and other information r equired by the Commission; 5. Discloses criminal convictio n of the applicant or other participating personnel, if any; 6. Demonstrates that the applicant has the n ecessary personnel, financial, and technical expertise , access to capital, and developed plans to test, monitor, and assess the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service; 7. Contains a description of the innovative alcoholic beverage or service to be tested, including statements regarding the following: a. how the innovative alcoholic beverage or service is subject to licensing or other authorizatio n requirements outside the scope of the program, including a specific list of all state l aws, regulations, and licensing or other requirements that the applicant is seeking to have waived during the testing period, b. how the innovative alcoholic product or service would benefit consumers, Req. No. 2587 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 c. how the innovative alcoholic product or service is different from other alcoholic beverage products or services available in this state , d. what risks may confront consumers that use or purchase the innovative alcoholic beverage product or services, e. how participating in the program would enable a successful test of th e innovative alcoholic beverage product or services, f. a description of how the applicant will per form ongoing duties after the test, and g. how the applicant will end the test and protect consumers if the test fails, including providing evidence of sufficient liability coverage and financial reserves to protect consumers and to protect against insolvency by the applicant; and 8. Includes any additional information deemed necessary by the Commission. C. An applicant shall file a sperate application for e ach innovative alcoholic beverage product or service the applicant wa nts to test. D. After an application is fi led, and before approving the application, the Commission may seek any additional information from the applicant that the C ommission deems neces sary. Req. No. 2587 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. Subject to subsection F of this section, no later than ninety (90) days after the day on which a completed application is received by the Commission, the Commission shall inform the applicant as to whether the application is approved for enter ing into the program. F. The Commission and an applicant may mutually agree to extend the ninety (90) day timeline as described in subsection E of this section for the Commission to determine whether an appli cation is approved for entry int the program. G. In reviewing an application under this section , the Commision shall identify how the applica nt’s innovative alcoholic beverage product or services is subject to licensing or other authorization requirements outside of the program, including a specific list of all state laws, regulations, and licensing or other requirements that the applican t is seeking to have waived during the testing period. H. In reviewing the application, the Commission shall consider whether a competitor to the applicant is or has bee n a previous program participant and weigh that as a factor in allowing the applicant to also become a participant. I. If the Commission and each applicable ag ency approve admitting an applicant into the p rogram, then an applicant shall become a participant. Req. No. 2587 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 J. The Commission may deny any application submitted under this section, for any reason, at the Commission ’s discretion. K. If the Commission denies an application submitted under this section, the Commission shall provide to th e applicant a written description of the reasons for the denial . SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-103 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. If the Commission approved an application under Section 2 of this act, the participant shall have twelve (12) months after the day of approval to test the innovat ive product or services described in the participant’s application. B. A participant testing an i nnovative alcoholic beverage product or service within the program is subj ect to the following : 1. Consumers shall be residents of this state ; 2. The Commission may, on a cas e-by-case basis, specify the maximum number of consumers that may enter into a n agreement with the participant to use the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service; 3. The Commission may, if applicable on a case -by-case basis, specify the maximum number of items for each item that may be offered by a participant during the test of the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service ; Req. No. 2587 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 4. If a participant is accepted into the program, the Commission shall notify other businesses in the industry that a waiver was granted to afford other companies the opportunity to apply for the same waiver if they choose. C. This section does not restrict any participant who holds a license or other authorization in another juris diction from acting in accordance with that license or other authori zation. D. A participant is deemed to possess an appropriate license pursuant to the laws of this state for the purpose of any provi sions of federal law requiring state licensure or authorization. E. A participant that is testing an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service is not subject to stat e laws, regulations, licensing requirements, or authorization requirements that were identified by the partic ipant’s application and have been waived in writing by the Commission. F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, a participant shall not have immunity related to any c riminal offense committed during participation of this program. G. By written notice, the C ommission may end a participant’s participation in the program at any time and for any reason including, but not limited to, the Comm ission determining the participant is not operating in good faith to b ring an innovative alcoholic beverage product to market. Req. No. 2587 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 H. The Commission and the Commission ’s employees are not liable for any business losses, or the recouping of application expense s, related to the program including for: 1. Denying an applicant’s application to participate in the program for any reason ; or 2. Ending a participant’s participation in the program at any time for any reason. I. No guaranty association in this state may be held liable for business losses or liabilities incurred as a result of activities undertaken by a participa nt in the program. SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-104 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Before providing an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service to a consumer, a participant shall disclose the following to the consumer: 1. The name and contact information of the participant; 2. That the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service is authorized pursuant to the program and, if applicable, that the participant does not have a license or other authorization to provide an alcoholic beverage product or service under state law that regulates alcoholic beverage products outside the program; Req. No. 2587 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. That the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service is undergoing testing and may not function as inte nded and may expose the customer to risk; 4. That the provider of the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service is not immune from civil liability for any losses or damages caused by the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service; 5. That the state does not endorse or recommend the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service ; 6. That the innovative alcoholic beverage product or service is a temporary test that may be discontinued at the end of the testing period; 7. The expected end da te of the testing period ; and 8. That a consumer may contact the Commission to file a complaint regarding the innovative produ ct or service being tested and provide the Commission’s telephone number and website address where a complain may be filed. B. The disclosures required in subsection A of this se ction shall be provided to a consumer in a clear and conspicuous form and, for an Internet or application based innovative alcoholic beverage product or service, a consumer shall acknowledge receipt of the disclosure before a transaction may be completed. C. The Commission may require that a participant make additional disclosures to a cons umer. Req. No. 2587 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Sectio n 8-105 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. At least thirty (3 0) days before the end of the twelve -month testing period, a participant shall: 1. Notify the Commission that the par ticipant will exit the program, discontinue the participant’s test, and will stop offering any innovative alcoholic beverage product or service in the program within sixty (60) days after the day on which the twelve-month testing period ends; or 2. Seek an extension in accordance with Section 6 of this act . B. Subject to subsection C of this section, if the Commission does not receive notification as required by subsection A of this section, the testing period ends at the end of the twelve-month testing period and the participant shall immediately stop offering each innovative alcoholic beverage product or serv ice being tested. C. If a test includes offering an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service that require s ongoing duties, the participant shall continued to fulfi ll those duties or arrange for another person to fulfill those duties after the date on which the participant exists the program. SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-106 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: Req. No. 2587 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A. No later than thirty (30) days before the end of the twelve- month testing period, a participant may request an extension of the testing period for the purpose of obtaining a license or other authorization. B. The Commission shall grant or deny a request for an extension in accordance with subsection A of this section by the end of the twelve-month testing period. C. The Commission may grant an ex tension in accordance with this section for not more than twelve (12) months after the end of the testing period. D. A participant that obtains an extension in accord ance with this section shall provide the Commis sion with a written report every three (3) months that provides an upd ate on efforts to obtain a license or other authorization required by law, including any submitted for licensure or other authorization , rejected application, or issued license, or other authorization . SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new secti on of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 8-107 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as f ollows: A. A participant shall retain records, documents, and dat a produced in the ordinary course of business regarding an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service tested in the program. B. If an innovative alcoholic beverage product or service fails before the end of the testing period, the participant shall notify Req. No. 2587 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the Commission and report on actions taken by the participant to ensure consumers have not been harmed as result of the failure. C. The Commission shall establish quarterly reporting requirements for a participant , including information about any consumer complaints. D. The Commission may request records, documents, and data from a participant and, upon the Commission’s request, a participant shall make sure records, docum ents, and data available for inspection by the Commission. E. If the Commission determine s that a participant has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in any pr actice or transaction that is in violation of this act or that constitute s a violation of state or federal criminal law, the Commission shall remove a participant from the program. F. By October 1 of each year, the Commission shall provide an annual report to the Legislature that provide information regarding each participant and that provides recommendations regarding the effectiveness of the program. SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new sectio n of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes a s Section 8-108 of Title 37A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: The Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement Commission s hall promulgate the rules necessary to implement this a ct. Req. No. 2587 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 9. This act shall be come effective Novembe r 1, 2022. 58-2-2587 MR 1/20/2022 6:02:49 PM