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-SB287 INTRODUCED
-Page 0
-SB287
-L5N6VWW-1
-By Senator Hatcher
-RFD: Tourism
-First Read: 10-Feb-26
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-L5N6VWW-1 02/05/2026 JC (L)lg 2026-602
+FN-G3DT7C6-4
 Page 1
-First Read: 10-Feb-26
-SYNOPSIS:
-Existing law allows a licensed importer to bring
-alcoholic beverages into the State of Alabama which are
-manufactured outside of the United States for
-distribution to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
-(ABC) or a wholesaler. There is currently no statutory
-recognition that a licensed importer may make the same
-distribution with respect to alcoholic beverages
-manufactured domestically, but outside the State of
-Alabama.
-This bill would recognize that a licensed
-importer may import alcoholic beverages into the state
-which are manufactured in the United States.
-This bill would change the beginning of the
-licensure year for importers from January 1 to October
-1 to conform with the licensure year for other ABC
-license categories.
-This bill would also delete duplicative language
-and make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update
-the existing code language to current style.
-A BILL
-TO BE ENTITLED
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-SB287 INTRODUCED
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-TO BE ENTITLED
-AN ACT
-Relating to alcoholic beverages; to amend Section
-28-3A-7, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the
-importation of alcoholic beverages by recognizing that a
-person licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to
-import alcoholic beverages may import alcoholic beverages
-manufactured anywhere outside of the state; to alter the
-administrative licensure year for importers; to amend Section
-28-3-1, Code of Alabama 1975, to make conforming changes; and
-to delete duplicative language and make nonsubstantive,
-technical revisions to update the existing code language to
-current style.
-BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
-Section 1.  Section 28-3A-7, Code of Alabama 1975, is
-amended to read as follows:
-"§28-3A-7
-(a) Upon an applicant's compliance with the provisions
-of this chapter and the regulations made rules  thereunder, the
-board shall issue to the applicant an importer license
-which that shall authorize authorizes  the licensee to import
-into this state  alcoholic beverages  that are  manufactured
-outside the United States of America into of this state or for
-sale or distribution within this state of liquor and wine
-alcoholic beverages  to the board or the state, and table wine
-and beer to wholesaler licensees of the board wholesalers . No
-person shall import alcoholic beverages manufactured outside
-the United States of this state  into this state or for sale or
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-the United States of this state  into this state or for sale or
-distribution within this state or to the state, the board or
-any licensee of the board, unless such the person shall be is
-granted an importer license issued by the board.
-(b) An importer A licensee shall not sell any alcoholic
-beverages for consumption on the premises where sold to a
-consumer ; nor, unless also issued a wholesale license, sell or
-deliver to any retailer; nor deliver any  such  alcoholic
-beverages in other than original containers approved as to
-capacity by the board , and in accordance with standards of
-fill prescribed by the U.S. Treasury Department; nor maintain
-or operate within the state any place or places location , other
-than the place or places location  covered by his or its
-importer the license, where alcoholic beverages are sold or
-where orders are taken distributed .
-(c) Each importer licensee shall be required to file
-with the board, prior to making any sales sale  in Alabama the
-state , a list of its labels to be sold in Alabama and shall
-file with the board its federal certificate of label approvals
-or its certificates of exemption as required by the U.S.
-Treasury Department. All liquors and wines whose labels have
-not been registered as herein provided for shall be considered
-contraband and may be seized by the board or its agents, or
-any peace officers law enforcement officer  of the State of
-Alabama, without a warrant , and said goods the contraband  shall
-be delivered to the board and disposed of as provided by law.
-(d) All such importer licensees shall be required to
-mail to the board prior to the twentieth day of each month a
-consolidated report of all shipments of beer and table wine
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-consolidated report of all shipments of beer and table wine
-made to each wholesaler during the preceding month and of all
-shipments of alcoholic beverages received during the preceding
-month. Such reports Reports  shall be in such the form and
-containing such contain the  information asprescribed by  the
-board  may prescribe .
-(e) The books and records of such a licensee shall , at
-all times , be open to inspection by members of the board , or
-by persons duly individuals  authorized and designated by the
-board. Members of the board and its duly authorized agents
-shall have the right , without hindrance,  to enter any place
-which location that  is subject to inspection licensed
-hereunder pursuant to this section , or any place location  where
-such the records are kept , for the purpose of making such
-inspections and making transcripts thereof inspection .
-(f) Licenses issued under this section shall, unless
-revoked or suspended in the manner provided in this chapter,
-be valid for the license year commencing January October  1  of
-each year ."
-Section 2.  Section 28-3-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is
-amended to read as follows:
-"§28-3-1
-As used in this title, the following words shall have
-the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates
-otherwise:
-(1) ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Any alcoholic, spirituous,
-vinous, fermented, or other alcoholic beverage, or combination
-of liquors and mixed liquor, a part of which is spirituous,
-vinous, fermented, or otherwise alcoholic, and all drinks or
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-vinous, fermented, or otherwise alcoholic, and all drinks or
-drinkable liquids, preparations , or mixtures intended for
-beverage purposes, which contain one-half of one percent or
-more of alcohol by volume, and shall include liquor, beer, and
-wine.
-(2) ASSOCIATION. A partnership, limited partnership, or
-any form of unincorporated enterprise owned by two or more
-persons.
-(3) BEER , or MALT OR BREWED BEVERAGES. Any beer, lager
-beer, ale, porter, malt or brewed beverage, or similar
-fermented beverage containing one-half of one percent or more
-of alcohol by volume and not in excess of thirteen and
-nine-tenths 13.9  percent alcohol by volume, brewed or produced
-from malt, wholly or in part, or from rice, grain of any kind,
-bran, glucose, sugar, or molasses. A beer or malt or brewed
-beverage may incorporate honey, fruit, fruit juice, fruit
-concentrate, herbs, spices, or other flavorings during the
-fermentation process. The term does not include any product
-defined as liquor, table wine, or wine.
-(4) BOARD. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
-(5) BRANDY. All beverages that are an alcoholic
-distillate from the fermented juice, mash, or wine of fruit,
-or from the residue thereof, produced in such manner that the
-distillate possesses the taste, aroma, and characteristics
-generally attributed to the beverage, as bottled at not less
-than 80 degree proof.
-(6) CARTON. The package or container or containers in
-which alcoholic beverages are originally packaged for shipment
-to market by the manufacturer or its designated
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-to market by the manufacturer or its designated
-representatives or the importer.
-(7) CIDER. A fermented alcoholic beverage made from
-apple juice and containing not more than 8.5 percent alcohol
-by volume.
-(8) CLUB.
-a. Class I. A corporation or association organized or
-formed in good faith by authority of law and which must have
-at least 150 paid-up members. It must be the owner, lessee, or
-occupant of an establishment operated solely for the objects
-of a national, social, patriotic, political, or athletic
-nature or the like, but not for pecuniary gain, and the
-property as well as the advantages of which, belong to all the
-members and which maintains an establishment provided with
-special space and accommodations where, in consideration of
-payment, food with or without lodging is habitually served.
-The club shall hold regular meetings, continue its business
-through officers regularly elected, admit members by written
-application, investigation, and ballot, and charge and collect
-dues from elected members.
-b. Class II. A corporation or association organized or
-formed in good faith by authority of law and which must have
-at least 100 paid-up members. It must be the owner, lessee, or
-occupant of an establishment operated solely for the objects
-of a national, social, patriotic, political, or athletic
-nature or the like. The club shall hold regular meetings,
-continue its business through officers regularly elected,
-admit members by written application, investigation, and
-ballot, and charge and collect dues from elected members.
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-ballot, and charge and collect dues from elected members.
-(9) CONTAINER. The single bottle, can, keg, bag, or
-other receptacle, not a carton, in which alcoholic beverages
-are originally packaged for the market by the manufacturer or
-importer and from which the alcoholic beverage is consumed by
-or dispensed to the public.
-(10) CORPORATION. A corporation or joint stock
-association organized under the laws of this state, the United
-States, or any other state, territory or foreign country, or
-dependency.
-(11) DELIVERY. The transportation of alcoholic
-beverages directly from a retail licensee of the board to an
-individual, pursuant to Section 28-1-4 and Section 28-3A-13.1.
-(12) DELIVERY SERVICE LICENSE. A license issued by the
-Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in accordance with
-Section 28-3A-13.1 that authorizes the licensee, the
-licensee's employees, or independent contractors under a
-contractual or business arrangement with the licensee to
-transport and deliver alcoholic beverages.
-(13) DRY COUNTY. Any county which by a majority of
-those voting voted in the negative in an election  heretofore
-held under the applicable statutes at the time of the election
-or may hereafter vote in the negative in an election or
-special method referendum hereafter held in accordance with
-Chapter 2 , or held in accordance with the provisions of any
-act hereafter enacted permitting such election.
-(14) DRY MUNICIPALITY. Any municipality within a wet
-county which has, by its governing body or by a majority of
-those voting in a municipal election  heretofore  held in
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-those voting in a municipal election  heretofore  held in
-accordance with the provisions of Section 28-2-22, or in a
-municipal option election  heretofore or hereafter  held in
-accordance with the provisions of  Act 84-408, Acts of Alabama
-1984, appearing as Chapter 2A , or any act hereafter enacted
-permitting municipal option election, voted to exclude the
-sale of alcoholic beverages within the corporate limits of the
-municipality.
-(15) EMPLOYEE. An individual to whom an employer is
-required to issue a W-2 tax form under federal law.
-(16) GENERAL WELFARE PURPOSES. All of the following:
-a. The administration of public assistance as set out
-in Sections 38-2-5 and 38-4-1.
-b. Services, including supplementation and
-supplementary services under the federal Social Security Act,
-to or on behalf of persons to whom public assistance may be
-given under Sections 38-2-5 and 38-4-1.
-c. Service to and on behalf of dependent, neglected, or
-delinquent children.
-d. Investigative and referral services to and on behalf
-of needy persons.
-(17) HEARING COMMISSION. A body appointed by the board
-to hear and decide all contested license applications and all
-disciplinary charges against any licensee for violation of
-this title or the rules of the board.
-(18) HOTEL. A building or buildings held out to the
-public for housing accommodations of travelers or transients ,.
-The term includes a  and shall include  motel , but shall not
-include excludes  a rooming house or boarding house.
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-include excludes  a rooming house or boarding house.
-(19) IMPORTER. Any person , association, or corporation
-engaged in importing  into this state  alcoholic beverages ,
-liquor, wine, or beer,  that are  manufactured outside of the
-United States of America into this state or for sale or
-distribution  in this state, or to the board or to a licensee
-of the board .
-(20) INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. An individual to whom an
-employer is required to issue a 1099 tax form under federal
-law.
-(21) KEG. A pressurized factory sealed container with a
-capacity equal to or greater than five U.S. gallons , from
-which beer is withdrawn by means of an external tap.
-(22) LIQUOR. Any alcoholic, spirituous, vinous,
-fermented, or other alcoholic beverage, or combination of
-liquors and mixed liquor, a part of which is spirituous,
-fermented, vinous, or otherwise alcoholic, and all drinks or
-drinkable liquids, preparations, or mixtures intended for
-beverage purposes, which contain one-half of one percent or
-more of alcohol by volume, except beer and table wine.
-(23) LIQUOR STORE. A liquor store operated by the
-board , where alcoholic beverages other than beer are
-authorized to be sold in unopened containers.
-(24) MANUFACTURER. Any person, association, or
-corporation engaged in the producing, bottling, manufacturing,
-distilling, fermenting, brewing, rectifying, or compounding of
-alcoholic beverages, liquor, beer, or wine in this state or
-for sale or distribution in this state or to the board or to a
-licensee of the board.
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-licensee of the board.
-(25) MEAD. An alcoholic beverage produced by fermenting
-a solution of honey and water with grain mash and containing
-not more than 18 percent alcohol by volume.
-(26) MEAL. A diversified selection of food some of
-which is not susceptible of being consumed in the absence of
-at least some articles of tableware and which cannot be
-conveniently consumed while one is standing or walking about.
-(27) MINOR. Any person individual  under 21 years of age ;
-provided, however, in . In  the event Section 28-1-5 , shall be is
-repealed or otherwise  shall be  no longer in effect,  thereafter
-the provisions of Section 26-1-1 , shall govern.
-(28) MUNICIPALITY. Any incorporated city or town of
-this state to include its police jurisdiction.
-(29) PERSON. Every natural person, association, or
-corporation. Whenever used in a clause prescribing or imposing
-a fine or imprisonment, or both,  such the term as applied to  an
-association shall mean the partners or members thereof and as
-applied to a corporation shall mean the officers thereof,
-except as to incorporated clubs the term  person shall mean
-such  means an  individual or individuals who, under the bylaws
-of such clubs, shall have jurisdiction over the possession and
-sale of liquor therein.
-(30) POPULATION. The population according to the last
-preceding or any subsequent decennial census of the United
-States, except where a municipality is incorporated subsequent
-to the last census, in which event, its population until the
-next decennial census shall be the population of the
-municipality as determined by the judge of probate of the
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-municipality as determined by the judge of probate of the
-county as the official population on the date of its
-incorporation.
-(31) RESTAURANT. A reputable place licensed as a
-restaurant, operated by a responsible person of good
-reputation , and habitually and principally used for the
-purpose of preparing and serving meals for the public to
-consume on the premises.
-(32) RETAILER. Any person licensed by the board to
-engage in the retail sale of any alcoholic beverages to the
-consumer.
-(33) SALE or SELL. Any transfer of liquor, wine , or
-beer for a consideration, and any gift in connection with, or
-as a part of, a transfer of property other than liquor, wine,
-or beer for a consideration.
-(34) SELLING PRICE. The total marked-up price of
-spirituous or vinous liquors sold by the board, exclusive of
-taxes levied thereon.
-(35) TABLE WINE. Except as otherwise provided in this
-subdivision, any wine containing not more than 24 percent
-alcohol by volume. Table wine does not include any wine
-containing more than  sixteen and one-half  16.5  percent alcohol
-by volume that is made with herbs or flavors, except vermouth,
-or is an imitation or other than standard wine. Table wine is
-not liquor, spirituous, or vinous.
-(36) UNOPENED CONTAINER. A container containing
-alcoholic beverages , which has not been opened or unsealed
-subsequent to filling and sealing by the manufacturer or
-importer.
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-importer.
-(37) WET COUNTY. Any county which by a majority of
-those voting voted in the affirmative in an election
-heretofore held in accordance with the statutes applicable at
-the time of the election or may hereafter vote in the
-affirmative in an election or special method referendum held
-in accordance with Chapter 2 , or other statutes applicable at
-the time of the election.
-(38) WET MUNICIPALITY. Any municipality in a dry county
-which by a majority of those voting voted in the affirmative
-in a municipal option election  heretofore or hereafter  held in
-accordance with  the provisions of Act 84-408, Acts of Alabama
-1984, appearing as  Chapter 2A  of this title, as amended,  or
-any act hereafter enacted permitting municipal option
-election, or any municipality which became wet by vote of the
-governing body or by the voters of the municipality  heretofore
-or hereafter  held under the special method referendum
-provisions of Section 28-2-22, or as hereafter provided, where
-the county has become dry subsequent to the elected wet status
-of the municipality.
-(39) WHOLESALER. Any person licensed by the board to
-engage in the sale and distribution of table wine and beer, or
-either of them, within this state, at wholesale only, to be
-sold by export or to retail licensees or other wholesale
-licensees or others within this state lawfully authorized to
-sell table wine and beer, or either of them, for the purpose
-of resale only.
-(40) WINE. All beverages made from the fermentation of
-fruits, berries, or grapes, with or without added spirits, and
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-fruits, berries, or grapes, with or without added spirits, and
-produced in accordance with the laws and regulations of the
-United States, containing not more than 24 percent alcohol by
-volume, and shall include all sparkling wines, carbonated
-wines, special natural wines, rectified wines, vermouths,
-vinous beverages, vinous liquors, and like products, including
-restored or unrestored pure condensed juice."
-Section 3.  This act shall become effective on October
-1, 2026.
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+FISCAL NOTE
+Senate Bill 287
+Committee: ENACTED Sponsor: Senator Kirk Hatcher
+Analyst: Tiffany Weaver Date: 05/22/2026
+Senate Bill 287 (Act 2026-504) as enacted could increase receipts to the Consumable Hemp
+Product Compliance Fund by an undetermined amount annually dependent on the number of
+Specialty Retailer of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems permittees that choose to obtain the
+$1,000 retailer license for consumable hemp products, along with the corresponding $50
+application fee.