Bill > S03136

This bill enacts the "New York wine & distilled spirits development act" and makes several key changes to alcoholic beverage regulations. The legislation progressively allows individuals to hold more multiple seven-day licenses to sell liquor at retail for off-premises consumption, starting with two additional licenses in 2026 and increasing to up to eleven additional licenses by 2034. The bill introduces a licensing system based on the ratio of active seven-day licenses to adult residents in each county, with restrictions on granting new licenses in counties with low license-to-population ratios. Additionally, the bill establishes a new "New York distilled spirits and wine industry marketing and promotion fund" that will receive 25% of revenues from liquor license fees. The fund is designed to support marketing and promotional campaigns for New York-produced distilled spirits and wine, with the commissioner of economic development overseeing fund expenditures. The bill also modifies licensing fees for different counties and updates restrictions on retail licensees' involvement in manufacturing and wholesale liquor businesses. The legislation is set to take effect on the first day of January following its passage into law.