Bill Text: GA SB222 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Alcoholic Beverages; authorize wine tastings; certain conditions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-07 - Senate Read and Referred [SB222 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB222-Introduced.html

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11 LC 28 5626

Senate Bill 222

By: Senators Staton of the 18th, Shafer of the 48th, Cowsert of the 46th and Goggans of the 7th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alcoholic beverages, so as to authorize wine tastings under certain conditions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Title 3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to alcoholic beverages, is amended by revising Code Section 3-3-26, relating to allowing or permitting of breaking of packages or drinking of contents thereof on premises, as follows:

"3-3-26.

(a) No retail dealer shall knowingly and intentionally allow or permit the breaking of any package or packages containing alcoholic beverages on the premises where sold or allow or permit the drinking of the contents of such package or packages on the premises where sold.

(b) This Code section shall not apply with respect to sales pursuant to a license for consumption on the premises.

(c)(1) A retail dealer shall be authorized to conduct wine tasting events on such dealer's premises in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

(2) A wine tasting event held pursuant to this subsection shall comply with the following:

(A) The event shall continue for no more than six hours, no more than six wines shall be offered at a single event, and not more than two ounces of any single wine and no more than a total of eight ounces of various wines shall be dispensed to a customer;

(B) No more than eight customers may be served at one time;

(C) The event shall be conducted totally within an area that is clearly cordoned off by barriers that extend no further than ten feet from the point of service, and a sign that clearly states that no one under the age of 21 may participate in the tasting shall be placed in a visible location at the entrance to the tasting area;

(D) An accurate accounting of the wine consumed at a tasting event shall be maintained; and

(E) The retail dealer shall be responsible for complying with all applicable laws under this title.

(3) A retail dealer shall not conduct more than 48 wine tastings each year and not more than five tastings per week."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.