Under this legislation, private nonprofit organizations/clubs do not need a license, permit or other authorization from the state or local government to sell alcoholic beverages by the drink at their "single" functions. Single functions last no longer than 24 hours and cannot occur more than once a month at the same location.

Current law requires that 35% of the registered voters file a petition with the election superintendent to call a referendum to let the voters decide whether the manufacture, sale and distribution of liquor would be allowed in the county. HB 96 would allow a referendum upon the signature of 5% of the registered voters of a county. The bill also specifies that the referendum could only be held in connection with a general primary.

Current law forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages within 100 yards of any housing authority property. HB 165 allows the county and housing authority to agree to allow the sale of alcohol within this 100 yard zone using one of two methods. Using the first method, the person seeking an alcoholic beverage permit within this area could submit an application to the county, which would be forwarded to the housing authority board to review. Within 30 days of receiving the application, the housing authority board has the opportunity to provide the county with a recommendation to grant or deny the application. After the 30 day period or after receiving a recommendation, the county may grant the application.The second method would allow the applicant to get a written recommendation for approval from the housing authority to submit with their application to the county.

HB 178 removes the county sales tax on food, food ingredients and alcoholic beverages.  Instead, it imposes a "prepaid local consumable tax" which must be paid when alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tobacco products, food and food ingredients when the distributor ships these items to a seller.

This bill allows the Revenue Commissioner to license craft breweries in counties where the sale of alcoholic beverages is allowed.  It also grants a limited exception to craft breweries under Georgia's three-tier distribution system, allowing them to sell barrels of beer to either licensed wholesale dealers or attendees of private events on their premises.     

This bill prohibits cities and counties from regulating the sale of tobacco or tobacco related objects (i.e., papers, wrappers, blunt wraps, pipes, water pipes) to minors. It also preempts counties from regulating the possession of such products by minors.  Please contact Todd Edwards at tedwards@accg.org if you have concerns.  

This bill allows the Revenue Commissioner to issue annual permits to licensed distillers to conduct distillery tours that include free tastings of liquor. Tastings would be limited to one-half of one ounce and no one could have more than one sample in a day.

Under current law, counties must obtain a written petition with the signatures of at least 35 percent of registered voters in order to hold a referendum to permit the manufacture, sale and distribution of distilled spirits in its jurisdiction.  This provides an additional option, allowing the county commission to merely adopt a resolution or ordinance in order to hold said referendum.     

This bill allows retail establishments to open packages of wine for the purpose of conducting a wine tasting so long as it is permitted pursuant to local ordinance. Currently, state law prohibits the breaking of any package(s) containing alcoholic beverages.

This bill authorizes counties and cities (which already allow package sales) to approve the package sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits on Sunday from between 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. A county commission must first authorize this via a resolution or ordinance, specifying the effective date. After a four-week notice in the county organ, the proposal would then go to a vote of the public with a simple majority prevailing. Elections can take place any time a special election is allowed under current law (O.C.G.A. §21-2-540) and are to be paid for by the county or city that puts the vote on the ballot.

Effective July 1, 2011 - Senate Bill 121 authorizes public golf courses (be they state, county or city) to sell wine and distilled spirits upon obtaining a retail consumption license.  Current law only allows for the sale of malt beverages.  Said sale must comply with all other applicable state and local laws/ordinances pertaining to the sale of wine and distilled spirits.