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ArkansasHB14762025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

TO AMEND THE DIRECT SHIPMENT OF VINOUS LIQUOR ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH A WINE DIRECT SHIPPER LICENSE.

Sponsored By: Brit McKenzie (Republican), Bart Hester (Republican)

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

More home wine deliveries with limits

Arkansas residents age 21 or older can receive up to 24 nine-liter cases of wine per calendar year. Recipients must live in an eligible wet county and receive wine at a private home for personal use, not resale. Buyers no longer need to visit the winery to purchase the wine. The wine must be registered with the state, and delivery must occur during legal alcohol sales hours. Packages must clearly state that they contain alcohol and require a delivery signature from someone age 21 or older.

Wine buyers pay applicable shipment taxes

Arkansas wine buyers pay applicable sales and excise taxes on direct shipments. Licensed shippers must collect and send those taxes to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Taxes apply as if the sale occurred at an Arkansas small farm winery. Sales and use taxes are based on the buyer’s delivery address. The law does not set new tax rates.

Wine shippers face reporting and audits

Out-of-state licensed shippers must report annually how much wine they shipped into Arkansas during the prior calendar year. In-state licensees must provide compliance information when the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division asks. Licensees must allow requested record audits and are subject to Arkansas agencies and courts for enforcement. Proposed implementing rules must reach the Legislative Council in time for consideration before the 180-day deadline. Final rules must be filed with the Secretary of State within 180 days of the law’s effective date, or as soon as practicable after required approval if approval is delayed.

Wine shippers face dry-area penalties

Licensed wine shippers cannot send wine to residents of dry counties or other dry territories. The state reviews shipment reports quarterly, investigates suspected violations, and can order shippers to stop. A first violation gets written notice; a second brings a $500 fine; a third brings a $1,000 fine. Fourth and later violations can bring suspension for up to one year and additional fines up to $5,000 per violation. A winery, importer, or supplier that knowingly ships to a dry territory faces immediate suspension pending investigation. State officials and law enforcement can seize illegal shipments and hold them until the state alcohol board orders destruction.

Wine businesses get licenses with fees

Eligible in-state and out-of-state wineries, suppliers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers must get a Wine Direct Shipper license. Applicants must provide current state and federal alcohol licenses, with required license copies submitted again at renewal. Businesses pay $50 to apply and $25 each year to renew. Required federal label approvals cover each brand and brand-label extension shipped into or within Arkansas. This license replaces the separate small farm winery home-shipping permit program and its monthly limits and procedures.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Brit McKenzie

    Republican • House

  • Bart Hester

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 78 • No: 35

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 5:59:45 PM

Yes: 22 • No: 12 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/1/2025

House Vote - Tuesday, April 1, 2025 3:05:46 PM

Yes: 56 • No: 23 • Other: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1476 is now Act 675

    4/16/2025House

  2. Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.

    4/10/2025House

  3. TO BE ENROLLED

    4/9/2025House

  4. Returned from the Senate as passed.

    4/9/2025House

  5. Returned to the House as passed.

    4/9/2025Senate

  6. Read the third time and passed.

    4/9/2025Senate

  7. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    4/8/2025Senate

  8. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - SENATE

    4/1/2025Senate

  9. Received from the House.

    4/1/2025Senate

  10. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    4/1/2025House

  11. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    3/31/2025House

  12. Amendment No. 2 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.

    3/31/2025House

  13. Placed on second reading for the purpose of amendment.

    3/31/2025House

  14. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass as amended 2

    3/20/2025House

  15. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    3/10/2025House

  16. Amendment No. 1 read and adopted and the bill ordered engrossed.

    3/10/2025House

  17. Placed on second reading for the purpose of amendment.

    3/10/2025House

  18. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on HOUSE RULES

    2/13/2025House

  19. Filed

    2/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB1476 - Introduced

    2/13/2025

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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