Senate Bill 155: ABC Omnibus Legislation Summary

• Increases distillery permit holders' direct-to-consumer sales limit from one bottle to five bottles per customer per 12-month period and authorizes consumer tastings at distilleries.

• Creates spirituous liquor special event permit ($200 fee) allowing distilleries, supplier representatives, and brokerage representatives to conduct free tastings at trade shows, festivals, and similar events with strict sample size limits (0.25 ounces per product, 1.0 ounce maximum per day).

• Authorizes special auction permits ($750 fee) for licensed auctioneers to sell wine, decorative decanters, and antique spirituous liquor at auction with competing bids by phone, fax, or online.

• Allows counties and cities to authorize alcohol sales beginning at 10:00 A.M. on Sundays (instead of noon) for malt beverages, wine, and mixed beverages through local ordinance.

• Permits retailers with appropriate permits to sell malt beverages and wine in cleaned and sanitized containers ("growlers") for off-premises consumption and authorizes breweries to distribute products through wholesalers and operate up to three additional retail locations.