SB77 Summary

• Requires the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to phase out retail sales of alcoholic beverages and close all state-operated liquor stores by October 1, 2024, while continuing wholesale operations and other board functions.

• Creates a new retail license (not to exceed $750 per year) allowing existing licensees to purchase liquor from the board and sell unopened containers for off-premises consumption; these licenses cannot be sold or transferred.

• Establishes markup on wholesale liquor sales capped at 16.99 percent through September 30, 2024, and 20 percent thereafter; additional markup proceeds distributed as store profits are currently distributed.

• Authorizes the board to provide severance pay, preferential treatment, and other benefits for displaced employees; adjusts markup as necessary to hold current profit recipients harmless during phase-out.

• Repeals Sections 28-3-280 through 28-3-286 effective October 1, 2024; allows municipalities and counties to continue collecting sales taxes on liquor sold by retail licensees at base year amounts.