Senate Bill 1490 Summary

• Establishes authorized distribution agents to warehouse and deliver spirits in Michigan, subject to uniform commission requirements and qualifications under section 215.

• Requires authorized distribution agents to deliver weekly to retailers meeting minimum order requirements, provide emergency orders within 18 hours (or before noon Monday if ordered Saturday/Sunday), and prohibits charging delivery or split-case fees for commission-sold spirits.

• Prohibits sales, delivery, or importation of spirits except by the commission, its authorized agent/distributor, an approved authorized distribution agent, or a licensed person, with penalties ranging from civil infractions for less than 8,000 milliliters to felonies for 80,000 milliliters or more.

• Adds retail licensee penalties of up to $2,500 administrative fine and license suspension/revocation for spirits violations, with escalating sanctions for multiple violations (1-30 days first violation, 31-89 days second, 90 days third, revocation fourth).

• Permits supplier consumer sampling events on specially designated distributor premises with 5-day notice, limited to 3 events per month, with samples capped at 1/3 ounce and restricted to persons 21 and older.

• Authorizes manufacturers and out-state sellers to conduct preapproved marketing programs packaging nonalcoholic carbonated beverages with spirits and regulates coupon transactions without diminishing state profit margins.