SB1006 Summary

• Expands the definition of "cooler beverage" to include spirits-based beverages containing distilled spirits with added natural or artificial blending materials and less than 5% alcohol by volume, allowing local distilleries to produce ready-to-drink cocktails at a lower tax rate.

• Repeals the separate definition of "draft beer" (beer in containers of 7 gallons or more) to eliminate the tax disparity between draft beer and other beer packaging formats.

• Consolidates beer taxation into a single category effective July 1, 2019, so all beer regardless of container size is taxed at the same rate per wine gallon.

• Removes references to "draft beer" from the definitions of "distilled spirits" and "liquor" to align statutory language with the elimination of the draft beer classification.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2112 (note: this appears to be a clerical error as the effective date is far in the future).