Bill > A07639

This bill amends the New York Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to allow up to ten retail licensees who sell wine or liquor for off-premises consumption to form cooperative purchasing agreements with specific regulatory safeguards. The cooperative agreements must follow several key standards, including allowing members to freely join or leave cooperatives, prohibiting restrictions on advertising or pricing, ensuring proper credit and payment terms, maintaining separate invoicing for individual purchases, and complying with existing transportation and warehousing regulations. Members of the cooperative would be jointly responsible for any violations, and the cooperative can hire administrative employees who must meet existing licensing requirements. The bill aims to provide small alcohol retailers with more flexibility in purchasing inventory by allowing them to pool resources and potentially negotiate better pricing, while maintaining strict oversight to prevent potential market manipulation or unfair trade practices. The law would take effect 180 days after becoming law, giving businesses and regulators time to prepare for the new cooperative purchasing framework.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7639