AR HB1378

Allows publicly traded corporations with principal business in Arkansas and permission to sell alcoholic beverages to conduct sampling activities of products from manufacturers and wholesalers.

Manufacturers and wholesalers can provide beverages directly to qualified corporations for sampling without requiring state authorization, licensing, or charging fees; provision is not considered a gift or inducement.

Beverages must be stored in locked containers when not in use and cannot be served to, available to, or handled by persons under 21 years of age; limited to 36 selling units of each product type held at any time.

Employees may transport beverages to personal residences or charitable events for sampling purposes if no minors have access and beverages are not sold; limited to one selling unit per product type at private residences.

Qualified corporations must not sell sampled beverages and must destroy or safely store remaining stock; beverages provided are exempt from taxation and possession is not a criminal offense.