IA SF387

Bill

A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations and fee determinations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 1089; See SF 610.)

Introduced
02/20/2025

In Committee
02/26/2025

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

91st General Assembly

Bill Summary

This bill relates to alcoholic beverages. DEFINITIONS AND LICENSE AUTHORIZATIONS. The bill modifies the definition of “canned cocktail” by specifying that the alcohol component is primarily alcoholic liquor, and expands the definition of “mixed drink or cocktail” to include alcoholic beverages composed of wine or beer. The bill authorizes a special class “C” retail alcohol licensee or a special class “C” retail native wine licensee to sell mixed drinks or cocktails for consumption off the premises pursuant to Code section 123.49(2)(d)(3), if the beverage does not contain alcoholic liquor. The bill specifically authorizes the state of Iowa or a state agency to be issued a retail alcohol license and excludes them from the requirements that the applicant for a retail alcohol license, class “A” native distilled spirits license, class “A” or special class “A” beer permit, or class “A” wine permit be a person of good moral character and authorized to do business in the state of Iowa. The bill does not enact such an exclusion for a wine auction permit (Code section 123.173C). This division takes effect upon enactment. LICENSING FEE DETERMINATION. Under current law, when determining the applicable fee for a class “B”, class “C”, special class “C”, or class “E” retail alcohol license, where the premises or commercial establishment is located outside the corporate limits of any city, the population of the nearest incorporated city is used, unless the licensed premises is located in an unincorporated town, then the unincorporated town is treated as a city. The bill instead determines such fees based on the population of the nearest incorporated city as determined by the address assigned by United State postal service. This division applies to licenses issued or renewed on or after November 10, 2025. A license issued prior to that date and in effect on that date shall continue in full force and effect until expiration or renewal.

AI Summary

This bill makes several modifications to Iowa's alcoholic beverage regulations, focusing on two primary areas: licensing and beverage definitions. First, the bill expands the definitions of "canned cocktail" and "mixed drink or cocktail" to include beverages made with wine and beer, and clarifies that canned cocktails must have an alcohol component primarily composed of alcoholic liquor. The bill also authorizes special class "C" retail alcohol and native wine licensees to sell mixed drinks or cocktails for off-premises consumption, provided the drink does not contain alcoholic liquor. Additionally, the bill creates a notable exception to existing licensing requirements by allowing the state of Iowa and state agencies to be issued retail alcohol licenses without needing to meet previous qualifications like being of good moral character or being authorized to do business in the state. In a separate provision, the bill changes how licensing fees are determined for premises located outside city limits, stipulating that fees will be based on the population of the nearest incorporated city as determined by the United States Postal Service address, rather than previous methods that involved comparing multiple city limits or treating unincorporated towns as cities. These changes will apply to licenses issued or renewed on or after November 10, 2025, with existing licenses remaining valid until their expiration or renewal.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (0)

No sponsors listed

Other Sponsors (1)

State Government (Senate)

Last Action

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 610. S.J. 590. (on 03/19/2025)

Official Document

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF387

(4 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF387
BillText	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF387.html

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
HF470	A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations, bond requirements, and fee determinations, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly HSB 79.) Effective date: 04/25/2025, 07/01/2025. Applicability date: 11/10/2025.	Signed by Governor. H.J. 1073.	Similar To
HSB79	A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations and fee determinations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 470.)	Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 470.	Related
SF610	A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations and fee determinations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SF 387, SSB 1089.)	Withdrawn. S.J. 776.	Similar To
SSB1089	A bill for an act relating to alcoholic beverages, including license authorizations and fee determinations, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 387, SF 610.)	Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 387.	Related

Bill > SF387

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (0)

Other Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary