SB1044 Summary

• Amends wine and spirits wholesaler payment provisions to authorize acceptance of cash, personal check, cashier's check, money order, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) from licensed purchasers, while continuing to prohibit credit card payments.

• Establishes mandatory EFT payment procedures requiring wholesalers to initiate fund withdrawals by the next banking business day following delivery, with exceptions allowing checks or money orders during service interruptions, NSF situations, or within 30 days of retailer license issuance.

• Requires wholesalers selecting third-party EFT payment processors to ensure termination can occur with no more than 30 days' notice, maintaining wholesaler control over payment collection methods.

• Permits single EFT payments to wholesalers making multiple deliveries to chain retailer locations on the same business day, with retailers and wholesalers maintaining store-by-store records to trace individual invoices to payments.

• Violation of payment method requirements constitutes grounds for license suspension; effective date is November 1, 2025.