VirginiaSB4242026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Alcoholic beverage control; distiller's licensees as agents of Board, sale of alcoholic beverages.

Sponsored By: Russet Perry (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; government stores; distiller's licensees as agents of the Board; sale of alcoholic beverages. Allows certain holders of a distiller's license appointed as agents of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to sell spirits, beer, wine, or cider for on-premises or off-premises consumption, provided that the spirits, beer, wine, or cider are manufactured within the same licensed premises or on contiguous premises of such agent licensed as a distillery, brewery, or winery. Under current law, such agents of the Board are permitted to give samples of such alcoholic beverages.The bill also increases the amount of spirits such distiller's licensees may give or sell to any person per day from three ounces to six ounces and requires such distiller's licensees to have food reasonably available at all times when spirits are served. The bill provides that such food may be provided by food trucks, patrons providing their own food, or the agent of the Board and specifies that failure of such distiller's licensees to have food reasonably available may result in the Board's reconsideration of the agency agreement appointing such holder of a distiller's license or its officers and employees as agents of the Board.The bill requires the Authority to collect data regarding the compliance of distiller's licensees with the provisions of this bill and report such data to the Chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services by November 1, 2026, and again by November 1, 2027. The bill also requires the Authority to convene a stakeholders group to review the manufacturer event licenses and off-site sales privileges granted to manufacturing licensees and report its findings and any recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes to the Chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services no later than December 1, 2026. The bill sunsets on July 1, 2028.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Distillers can sell as Board agents

The Board can appoint licensed distillers and their staff as agents to sell their own spirits and low‑alcohol coolers at a Board store on their site or at Board‑licensed events. Agents are paid at least 20% of the retail price. When a Board store is on the premises, distillers may charge for tastings and sell for on‑site drinking or in closed containers to go. With Board approval, distillers may send monthly electronic transfers limited to taxes and markups. “Blended” includes alcohol the distillery ages or uses in low‑alcohol coolers and then bottles. The Board waives the case fee when the distiller’s employees move product from production to the tasting area in that on‑site store.

Updated licenses for distillers, wineries, breweries, importers

Breweries may sell their brands for on‑site drinking if at least 20% of beer sold on‑site in a year is brewed there. Limited breweries qualify if they make no more than 15,000 barrels a year, are on agriculturally zoned farms using farm‑grown products, and operate mainly where crops are grown unless the Board approves more. Wineries may run distilling equipment only to make fruit spirits to fortify their wine, and can sell on‑site if at least 20% of on‑site wine sales are made there. Farm wineries may make wine up to 21% ABV, run up to five extra retail locations, sell their own or contract‑made or wholesaler‑bought wine, and pre‑mix wine at those sites. Wine and beer importers may ship in closed containers to licensed Virginia wholesalers and to buyers outside Virginia for resale. A limited distiller license is available for farm distilleries on agriculturally zoned land using farm‑grown products; they are treated as distillers under the law.

All changes end July 1, 2028

These changes expire on July 1, 2028. After that date, the licenses and permissions in this act end unless the law is renewed.

Easier payment options for licensees

For licensee purchases at ABC stores, the Authority must accept cash, electronic funds transfer, credit or debit cards, or an exact‑amount check payable to the Authority. The Authority must also tell licensees how store assignments work and how to choose another store.

High-proof neutral spirits off shelves

ABC stores cannot sell neutral grain spirits over 151 proof. The Board may issue permits for industrial, commercial, culinary, or medical uses.

ABC store prices and payment rules

All ABC store sales must be in sealed, labeled containers. The Authority must accept cash. It may allow credit or debit cards and charge related fees by regulation. Before any spirits markup increase, the Authority gives at least 45 days’ public notice, takes written comments, holds a public meeting, and considers comments.

Tasting events: size limits and food

Agents and manufacturer reps may give samples at organized tastings. Single samples are capped at 4 oz beer, 2 oz wine or cider, and 0.5 oz spirits (up to 1.5 oz in mixed drinks). Daily per-person limits apply, and hosts must track each person’s spirits samples. When spirits are served, food must be reasonably available, such as sandwiches, pizza, pasta, or salads with protein. Prepackaged snacks alone do not count.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Russet Perry

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 223 • No: 8

House vote 3/4/2026

Passed House

Yes: 95 • No: 3

House vote 2/27/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/24/2026

Reported from General Laws and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 19 • No: 1

Senate vote 2/11/2026

Read third time and passed Senate

Yes: 36 • No: 4

Senate vote 2/10/2026

Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute

Yes: 11 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0889)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 889 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/14/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

    3/14/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB424)

    3/13/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB424ER)

    3/10/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    3/10/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    3/10/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/10/2026House
  10. Passed House (95-Y 3-N 0-A)

    3/4/2026House
  11. Read third time

    3/4/2026House
  12. Read second time

    3/3/2026House
  13. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    2/27/2026House
  14. Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

    2/25/2026House
  15. Reported from General Laws and referred to Appropriations (19-Y 1-N)

    2/24/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/17/2026House
  17. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/17/2026House
  18. Placed on Calendar

    2/17/2026House
  19. Read third time and passed Senate (36-Y 4-N 0-A)

    2/11/2026Senate
  20. Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

    2/10/2026Senate
  21. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB424)

    2/10/2026Senate
  22. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)

    2/10/2026Senate
  23. Read second time

    2/10/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/9/2026Senate
  25. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/9/2026Senate

Bill Text

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