VirginiaSB5322026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Alcoholic beverage control; banquet license, municipality or nonprofit organization.

Sponsored By: Richard H. Stuart (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; banquet license; municipality or nonprofit organization. Allows a manufacturer, bottler, broker, importer, or wholesaler to sponsor or provide support, including equipment, staff, financial, and other support, for a special event for which a municipality or nonprofit organization has been issued a banquet license when such special event is to be held on the grounds of a museum or a government-registered national, state, or local historic site at which the municipality or nonprofit organization is licensed to operate a gift shop, provided that any retail license issued to the premises has been deactivated by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority for the duration of such special event. The bill limits such municipalities or nonprofit organizations to no more than eight banquet licenses for such special events per year. This bill is identical to HB 1343.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Powdered alcohol banned statewide

Virginia bans powdered or crystalline alcohol from being sold or shipped into the state. The Board also sets rules for container types, labels, and seals on alcoholic beverages.

Stronger enforcement: hearings, fines, licensing

The Board can hold hearings, issue subpoenas, take sworn testimony, and use agents in investigations. It can accept consent agreements that are not case decisions and not subject to judicial review. The Board can assess and collect civil penalties for violations. It can also grant, suspend, deactivate, or revoke licenses for making, importing, distributing, or selling alcohol.

Suppliers barred from retail, narrow carve-outs

The law bars manufacturers, bottlers, and wholesalers—and related officers, directors, and commonly controlled entities—from holding retail alcohol licenses or controlling retailers. It lists narrow exceptions, such as dining cars, certain brewery, distillery, winery, and farm‑winery setups, and one out‑of‑state winery tied to one Virginia restaurant that buys through a Virginia wholesaler. Each exception applies only as written.

Broader ABC business and purchasing powers

The Board can make contracts and agreements and accept grants, gifts, and other aid under the grantor’s terms. It can adopt bylaws, delegate duties, and run lawful business projects that fit its mission. The Board must use competitive procurement policies for buying goods, services, and construction.

New fees and food-sale rules for retailers

Retail alcohol licensees must meet minimum food‑sale standards set by the Board. The Board sets and collects permit and application fees. Mixed beverage casino licensees must pay any Board enforcement costs above the state license fee.

ABC can set prices and fees

The Board sets and collects rates, rentals, fees, and other charges for the use of its property and the sale of its products and services. These charges pay the Authority’s expenses. Prices or fees for shoppers and users may change over time.

Event licenses and tasting limits for makers

Makers of wine, beer, and spirits can get up to 8 banquet licenses each year for Board‑approved, educational events. One license covers an event lasting up to 3 straight days. At spirits events, a single sample is up to 0.5 oz (1.5 oz if a mixed drink), and no patron may be offered more than 3 oz per day. A supplier may sponsor a museum or historic‑site event when a municipality or nonprofit holds the banquet license, but the site’s retail license is deactivated during the event. Those municipalities or nonprofits are limited to 8 such banquet licenses per year.

ABC control over sales, stores, and production

The Board can buy, import, and sell distilled spirits, and it may sell mixers and some Virginia Tourism‑licensed goods. It controls possession, sale, transport, and delivery of alcohol across the state. The Board decides where government stores go, operates warehouses, and manages storage and deliveries. It can buy, lease, sell, or use property and can build and run distilleries to make alcoholic beverages.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Richard H. Stuart

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 0

House vote 2/24/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/19/2026

Reported from General Laws

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/3/2026

Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute

Yes: 15 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0825)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 825 (effective 7/1/2026)

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

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026Senate
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB532)

    2/26/2026Senate
  6. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB532ER)

    2/26/2026Senate
  7. Enrolled

    2/26/2026Senate
  8. Signed by President

    2/26/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/26/2026House
  10. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026House
  11. Read third time

    2/24/2026House
  12. Read second time

    2/23/2026House
  13. Reported from General Laws (21-Y 0-N)

    2/19/2026House
  14. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB532)

    2/11/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on General Laws

    2/9/2026House
  16. Read first time

    2/9/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar

    2/9/2026House
  18. Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026Senate
  19. Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

    2/3/2026Senate
  20. Engrossed by Senate - Senate committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/3/2026Senate
  21. Read second time

    2/3/2026Senate
  22. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

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

    2/2/2026Senate
  24. Passed by for the day

    2/2/2026Senate
  25. Rules suspended

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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