All Roll Calls
Yes: 80 • No: 37
ArkansasSB5642025 Regular SessionSenate
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "BEER" TO CHANGE THE ALLOWABLE ALCOHOLIC CONTENT AND TO INCLUDE MALT BEVERAGES.
Sponsored By: Scott Flippo (Republican), Matt Brown (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Arkansas sellers can offer stronger beer
Arkansas raises the beer alcohol limit from 5% to 10% by weight, including malt beverages within that ceiling. A separate definition covers malt beverages brewed from fermented grain with 5% to 21% alcohol by weight. Products above 10% do not qualify as beer under these rules. The 10% beer limit applies to licensing, keg sales, small breweries, brewery-restaurants, related private clubs, and manufacturer tax-rebate eligibility. It also applies to local alcohol votes, including those involving former voting districts. Beer-and-light-wine permit applicants must pledge to follow the 10% beer ceiling and the separate 5% limit for other intoxicating liquor. The covered premises rules bar beer above 10%, wine above 5%, and distilled spirits.
Arkansas sellers pay tax on stronger beer
Arkansas's beer tax now covers beer with up to 10% alcohol by weight, including beer above the old 5% limit. Sellers pay $7.50 per 32-gallon barrel, with smaller or larger amounts taxed in proportion. The tax rate and the inclusion of hard cider stay unchanged. Sellers may pass some or all of the cost to buyers.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Scott Flippo
Republican • Senate
Matt Brown
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/7/2025
House Vote - Monday, April 7, 2025 9:29:10 PM
Yes: 56 • No: 29 • Other: 7
Senate vote • 4/2/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 5:06:52 PM
Yes: 24 • No: 8 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that SB564 is now Act 596
4/14/2025SenateDELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/9/2025SenateReported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/9/2025SenateORDERED ENROLLED
4/8/2025SenateReturned from the House as passed.
4/8/2025SenateReturned to the Senate as passed.
4/8/2025HouseRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/7/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/3/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on HOUSE RULES
4/2/2025HouseRECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/2/2025HouseOrdered immediately transmitted to the House.
4/2/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/2/2025SenateReturned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
4/1/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to CITY, COUNTY & LOCAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE - SENATE
3/31/2025SenateFiled
3/26/2025Senate
Bill Text
SB564 - Introduced
3/26/2025
Act Version
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