Bill > S01279

This bill establishes a new type of wine license specifically for supermarkets, allowing them to sell wine in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. A "supermarket" is defined as a retail establishment primarily selling foodstuffs, at least 4,000 square feet in total area, with more than 65% of its revenue coming from food sales. The bill creates a new supermarket wine license that requires a one-time franchise fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of 0.5% of wine sales (excluding New York state-produced wines). Licensees can conduct wine tastings and are exempt from certain existing alcohol sales restrictions. The bill also modifies employment regulations to allow individuals under 18 to handle and ring up wine sales under supervision. Geographic restrictions are placed on license locations, such as prohibiting licenses within 200 feet of schools or churches and 500 feet of existing liquor stores. Local governments are preempted from creating additional regulations that would make wine sales unreasonably difficult, though they can still regulate the time, place, and manner of sales. The legislation aims to expand wine sales opportunities for supermarkets while maintaining regulatory oversight of alcohol distribution.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1279