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AlabamaSB3162025 Regular SessionSenate

ABC Board; establishing a new license for an educational tourism distillery

Sponsored By: Bobby D. Singleton (Democratic)

Enacted

Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Separate beer and wine wholesaler fees

Beginning October 1, 2025, beer and wine wholesaler licenses each cost $550 annually. Each warehouse beyond the main warehouse adds $200 annually. The law removes the former $750 combined beer-and-wine license fee. Holding both licenses now costs $1,100 before extra warehouse fees, or $350 more than the former combined fee. Fees must be paid before license issuance or renewal.

Distilleries pay retail taxes on tastings

Beginning October 1, 2025, educational tourism distilleries owe state-store liquor markups and privilege or excise taxes on their own liquor sold or sampled. This covers on-site sales, take-home sales and tastings. Monthly reports cover liquor made, sold or consumed; returns must be postmarked and payments made by the next month's last day. Late filing costs the greater of 10% of additional tax due or $50; failure to pay adds 10% of the unpaid amount. Interest accrues at the federal underpayment rate. Licensees must also post a surety bond of at least $25,000 to cover unpaid taxes, fines or penalties.

Distilleries gain restricted off-site storage

Beginning October 1, 2025, educational tourism distilleries can add one site for storing finished and unfinished goods. It must be in Alabama, within 10 miles of the distillery, and approved by federal regulators and Alabama's alcohol board. Licensees must show control of the property, keep it secure and track stored goods. The site cannot host sales, tastings, sampling, exports or distribution within Alabama. Alcohol board representatives or designated law enforcement officers can inspect or search it without a warrant.

Farm wineries gain distillery wine sales

Beginning October 1, 2025, small farm wineries can sell and transport their table wine to licensed educational tourism distilleries. The wine can only be consumed at the distillery, not sold for take-home use. Winery employees must deliver it in a vehicle the winery owns or leases.

New distillery visitor sales, fees and limits

Beginning October 1, 2025, Alabama's new educational tourism distillery license allows on-site alcohol sales and take-home sales of liquor made there. Licensees must produce at least 100,000 gallons yearly and get at least 50% of gross sales from liquor made on site. They need a 5,000-square-foot distillery and a separate enclosed tasting area of at least 500 square feet that excludes people under 21. The annual license costs $1,000, payable before issuance or renewal. Guided educational tours are required; tour tastings total no more than 1.5 ounces per patron and are included in the tour price. Sampling flights also have a 1.5-ounce limit. Take-home sales require a separate enclosed area and are capped at 4.5 liters per customer daily, sealed, labeled, packaged and taxed. Licensees cannot sell directly to retailers; direct manufacturer transfers require at least 75% ownership or control of the brand or product.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bobby D. Singleton

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lance Bell

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 240 • No: 11

House vote • 5/6/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1179

Yes: 81 • No: 4 • Other: 13

House vote • 5/6/2025

Whitt motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1178

Yes: 78 • No: 0 • Other: 23

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 726

Yes: 26 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 29 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Jones motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 725

Yes: 26 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    5/14/2025Senate

  2. Economic Development and Tourism 1st Substitute Offered

    5/6/2025House

  3. Whitt motion to Table - Adopted Roll Call 1178

    5/6/2025House

  4. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1179

    5/6/2025House

  5. Ready to Enroll

    5/6/2025Senate

  6. Enrolled

    5/6/2025Senate

  7. Signature Requested

    5/6/2025House

  8. Delivered to Governor

    5/6/2025Senate

  9. Economic Development and Tourism 1st Substitute

    4/29/2025House

  10. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/29/2025House

  11. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  12. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism

    4/17/2025House

  13. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    4/17/2025House

  14. Engrossed

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. Third Reading in House of Origin

    4/15/2025Senate

  16. Jones 1st Amendment Offered

    4/15/2025Senate

  17. Jones motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 725

    4/15/2025Senate

  18. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 726

    4/15/2025Senate

  19. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    4/9/2025Senate

  20. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/9/2025Senate

  21. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

    4/8/2025Senate

  22. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    4/8/2025Senate

Bill Text

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