AR HB1379

Increases the number of alcoholic beverage permit types from six (6) to seven (7) by adding a new Layout Center permit under Arkansas Code § 3-4-601.

Allows publicly traded corporations with principal business in Arkansas that sell alcoholic beverages to apply for a Layout Center permit to conduct merchandise planning at closed premises not open to the public and not used for retail sales.

Permits manufacturers and wholesalers to provide alcoholic beverages directly to layout center permittees without requiring state authorization, licensing, or permits, and without the beverages needing approval for sale in Arkansas.

Requires layout center permittees to maintain documentation of receipt and disposition of all beverages, and mandates beverages be destroyed, returned to the source, or donated to qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations after merchandise planning use.

Establishes an annual permit fee of $100 and clarifies that providing beverages to layout centers does not constitute gift-giving violations, manufacturer-wholesaler service requirement violations, or criminal offenses under Arkansas law.