AR SB643

Modifies Arkansas Code § 3-5-903 to establish grant application requirements for wineries, including certification that applicants have operated for at least 5 years, produce a minimum of 1,000 gallons annually, grow at least 2 acres of grapes, and use at least 75% Arkansas-grown products.

Amends Arkansas Code § 3-7-108 to direct wine excise tax revenue collected after June 30, 2017 in excess of fiscal year 2016 amounts into the Arkansas Agricultural Marketing Grants Fund, with 20% allocated to the Arkansas Wine Producers Council Fund and 80% to eligible wineries.

Changes terminology in Arkansas Code § 26-77-203 from "native small farm wine producers" to "small farm wine producers" and modifies municipal tax authority to allow municipalities to levy up to 3% tax on retail wine sales and 1% tax on beer sales from producers with capacity of 1 million gallons or more annually.

Authorizes the Director of Finance and Administration to establish rules and regulations for winery subsidy applications and requires wineries to release federal excise tax forms and state excise tax records to verify grant fund eligibility.