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Bill > HB1703


VA HB1703

Alcoholic beverage control; tied house exceptions.


summary

Introduced
01/04/2025
In Committee
02/07/2025
Crossed Over
01/21/2025
Passed
02/17/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/19/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Alcoholic beverage control; tied house exceptions. Removes certain provisions of the exceptions to the tied house limitations that state a manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler cannot require, by agreement or otherwise, a retailer to exclude from sale at his establishment alcoholic beverages of other manufacturers, bottlers, importers, brokers, or wholesalers in order for the exception to apply. However, the bill retains the general prohibition that no manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler of alcoholic beverages shall make an agreement, or attempt to make an agreement, with a retail licensee pursuant to which any products sold by a competitor are excluded in whole or in part from the premises on which the retail licensee's business is conducted. This bill is identical to SB 834.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Virginia's alcoholic beverage control laws by removing certain restrictions on how manufacturers, bottlers, importers, brokers, and wholesalers can interact with retail licensees. Specifically, the bill eliminates language that previously prohibited these producers from selling to retailers if the retailer was required to exclude other manufacturers' products from their establishments. However, the bill maintains a key prohibition that prevents any manufacturer, bottler, importer, broker, or wholesaler from making agreements with retail licensees that would exclude competitors' products from the premises. The legislation is part of Virginia's broader regulatory framework designed to prevent vertical integration in the alcohol industry and maintain separation between manufacturing, wholesale, and retail interests. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for alcohol producers and retailers while still preserving core protections against anti-competitive practices in the alcoholic beverage market. The changes are technical in nature and modify existing sections of the Virginia Code related to alcoholic beverage control, with the goal of slightly loosening some existing restrictions while maintaining overall market fairness.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0126) (on 03/19/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1703
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1703/text/CHAP0126
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1703) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1063175.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1703/text/HB1703ER
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1703) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020652.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1703/text/HB1703
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