BILL NUMBER:  S6184

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to the
state policy with regard to alcoholic beverages


 PURPOSE :

To update the overall articulated state public policy regarding the
regulation of the manufacture of alcoholic beverages in New York.
This policy was first articulated by the New York State Legislature
when adopting the first Alcoholic Beverage Control Law after repeal of
the 18th Amendment (Prohibition) to the United States Constitution in
1933.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1: Amends Alcoholic Beverage Control Law section 2 "Policy of
state and purpose of chapter". This amendment adds that the policy of
the State Liquor Authority is to also consider promoting the economic
development and job opportunities of this State when pursuing its
regulatory activities with regard to the State's beer, wine, and
liquor production industries. This policy consideration is in addition
to the already articulated policy to control the manufacture of
              

alcoholic beverages in this State.

 EXISTING LAW :

Under current law, the State Liquor Authority, in its activities, is
to consider the control of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic
beverages without any consideration to the economic benefits and job
creation possibilities that are derived from promoting activities that
relate to the manufacture of beer, wine and liquors.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The overall environment in which the regulation of the manufacture,
sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages has changed greatly since
the public policy statement contained in section 2 of the Alcoholic
Beverage Control Law was first adopted in 1933. Since, 1933, the Great
Depression is over, the Allied Forces won the Second World War, and
the Cold War is now over. Further, consumer preferences and
consumption patterns for alcoholic beverages have changed
significantly since the policy statement contained in Section 2 was
adopted over 85 years ago.

It is now time to modernize the overall policy with regard to
regulating the manufacture of alcoholic beverages so that its reflects
the social benefits that can be derived to the State of New York by
encouraging the production of quality beer, wine, and spirits.
Expanding production facilities that manufacture beer, wine, and
liquors in this State can increase the demand for state produced
agricultural crops, preserve working farms and open spaces, minimize
future real property tax increases, and promote economic opportunities
related to agri-tourism industries.

This bill will give regulators the tools that they need to consider
the economic development and job opportunities that can be created by
promoting the prudent expansion of the manufacture of beer, wines, and
liquors.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
A.10314 (DelMonte) of 2008.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :
None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
Immediate.