Bill Text: WV SB426 | 2018 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Modernizing certain alcohol laws
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-02-28 - To House Judiciary [SB426 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2018-SB426-Comm_Sub.html
WEST virginia legislature
2018 regular session
Committee Substitute
for
Senate Bill 426
By Senators Trump, Weld, and Boso
[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; Reported on February 22, 2018]
A BILL to repeal §7-1-3ss of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §11-16-3, §11-16-5, §11-16-6a, §11-16-6b, §11-16-9, and §11-16-18 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §11-16-11b; to amend and reenact §60-1-5a of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §60-2-17a; to amend and reenact §60-3-12 of said code; to amend and reenact §60-3A-18 and §60-3A-25 of said code; to amend and reenact §60-4-3a and §60-4-3b of said code; to amend and reenact §60-6-7, §60-6-8, and §60-6-9 of said code; to amend and reenact §60-7-2, §60-7-3, §60-7-4, §60-7-5, §60-7-6 §60-7-12, and §60-7-13 of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §60-7-8a; to amend and reenact §60-8-3, §60-8-20, and §60-8-34 of said code; and to amend and reenact §61-8-27 of said code, all relating generally to modernizing certain nonintoxicating beer, nonintoxicating craft beer, beer, wine, and liquor laws by permitting certain hours of operation; defining terms; repealing section of the code authorizing county option elections on Sunday sales; defining terms; removing the two growler limit per patron per day for licensees who sell growlers for off- premises consumption; increasing allowable growler size to 128 ounces; creating a sampling license for retailers authorized to sell growlers and setting a fee for the license; placing limitations on complimentary samples; requiring complimentary food be available; setting forth age restrictions; placing restrictions on licensed representatives of a brewer, resident brewer, or distributer who attend sampling events; creating a temporary license for nonintoxicating beer floorplan extensions of existing licensee floorplans; implementing a fee for the new license; implementing a reactivation fee for licensees that fail to timely file their renewal applications and pay their license fees; creating a one-day special license for certain nonprofit and tax exempt entities hosting artistic, athletic, charitable, educational, or religious events to purchase and sell nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer; providing limitations on special licenses; setting forth requirements for special licenses; setting forth the commissioner’s authority; reducing the membership requirement for a private golf club; creating alternating wine proprietorships for wineries and farm wineries; setting forth requirements for the parties to the alternating wine proprietorship agreements; setting forth production standards, including amount of raw West Virginia products which are required to be used; licensure requirements; clarifying that the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration may request the assistance of county and municipal law enforcement; clarifying days and hours for liquor sales; permitting a distillery or mini-distillery to apply, pay the fee, and qualify for a Class A private club license; clarifying types of sales permitted by a distillery or mini-distillery; providing a 5 percent markup rate for mini-distilleries for sampling; declaring that the mere addition of a mini-distillery does not change the nature or use of agricultural property for building code and property tax classification purposes; clarifying sampling procedures and requirements for wineries and farm wineries; prohibiting the adulteration of any alcoholic liquor by adding liquid designed to increase alcohol content or potency; permitting certain charitable events to auction wine bottles for off-premises consumption; penalties; clarifying that certain West Virginia licensees can only sell liquor by the drink; clarifying certain requirements for licensure; clarifying prohibition on liquor bottle sales in Class A licenses; providing guidance on certain lawful conduct such as wine bottle sales and frozen drink machines, and prohibiting the sale of premixed alcoholic liquors, with certain exceptions; creating a private club and carryout license with attendant requirements therefor; permitting the sale of wine in Division II and III college stadiums; creating a private fair and festival license; setting forth qualifications for applicants; placing limitations on complimentary samples; reducing membership requirement for a private golf club; requiring complimentary food be available; setting forth age restrictions; placing restrictions on licensed representatives of a brewer, resident brewer, or distributer who attends or operates sampling events; clarifying that private resort hotel licensees may operate a resident brewer and brew pub; authorizing issuance of private club and carryout licenses and establishing criteria and setting a fee therefor; authorizing issuance of private hotel licenses and establishing criteria and fees therefor; setting forth qualifications for applicants; setting a license fee; permitting minors to attend private fairs or festivals under certain conditions; requiring a private club licensee to timely notify emergency medical services or law enforcement of a life-threatening medical emergency occurring on the licensee’s premises; authorizing sanctions against licensees failing to notify such personnel as required; requiring a licensee to notify the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration within 48 hours of the occurrence of a life-threatening emergency; clarifying prohibition against bring your own bottle with exceptions for wine under certain circumstances; directing the commissioner to propose rules for allowing patrons to bring wine into licensed premises and restaurant facilities with an allowance for a corkage fee; stating that any such rule shall not take effect until approved by the Legislature; permitting the commissioner to sanction a licensee for failing to comply with the 48-hour notification requirement; providing examples of life-threatening medical emergencies; authorizing the promulgation of emergency rules; and requiring promulgation of proposed legislative rules.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
CHAPTER 7. COUNTY COMMISSIONS AND OFFICERS.
ARTICLE 1. COUNTY COMMISSIONS GENERALLY.
§7-1-3ss. County option election on allowing nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors to be sold, given, or dispensed after 10:00 a. m. on Sundays.
[Repealed.]
CHAPTER 11. TAXATION.
ARTICLE 16. NONINTOXICATING BEER.
§11-16-3. Definitions.
For the purpose of this article, except where the context clearly requires differently:
(1) “Brand” means a
nonintoxicating beer product manufactured, brewed, mixed, concocted, blended,
bottled or otherwise produced, or imported, or trans-shipped by a brewer
or manufacturer, the labels of which have been registered and approved by the
commissioner that is being offered for sale or sold in West Virginia by a
distributor who has been appointed in a valid franchise agreement or a valid
amendment thereto to the franchise agreement.
(2) “Brewer” or “manufacturer” means any person manufacturing, otherwise producing or importing or trans-shipping nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for sale at wholesale to any licensed distributor. Brewer or manufacturer may be used interchangeably throughout this article. A brewer may obtain only one brewer’s license for its nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer.
(3) “Brewpub” means a place of manufacture of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer owned by a resident brewer, subject to federal and state regulations and rules and guidelines, a portion of which premises are designated for retail sales of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer by the resident brewer owning the brewpub.
(4) “Class A retail license” means a retail license permitting the retail sale of liquor at a freestanding liquor retail outlet licensed pursuant to chapter 60 of this code.
(5) “Class B retail license” means a retail license permitting the retail sale of liquor at a mixed retail liquor outlet licensed pursuant to chapter 60 of this code.
(6) “Commissioner” means the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration Commissioner.
(7) “Distributor” means and
includes any person jobbing or distributing nonintoxicating beer or
nonintoxicating craft beer to retailers at wholesale and whose warehouse and
chief place of business shall be is within this state. For
purposes of a distributor only, the term “person” means and includes an
individual, firm, trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company, association, or corporation. Any trust licensed as a distributor or
any trust that is an owner of a distributor licensee, and the trustee or other
persons in active control of the activities of the trust relating to the
distributor license, is liable for acts of the trust or its beneficiaries
relating to the distributor license that are unlawful acts or violations of
§11-11-1 et seq. of this code, notwithstanding the liability of trustees
in §44D-10-1 et seq. of this code.
(8) “Franchise agreement”
means the written agreement between a brewer and a distributor that is
identical as to terms and conditions between the brewer and all its distributors,
which agreement has been approved by the commissioner. The franchise
agreement binds the parties so that a distributor, appointed by a brewer, may
distribute all of the brewer’s nonintoxicating beer products, brands, or family
of brands imported and offered for sale in West Virginia, including, but not
limited to, existing brands, line extensions, and new brands all in the brewer’s
assigned territory for the distributor. All brands and line extensions being
imported or offered for sale in West Virginia must be listed by the brewer in
the franchise agreement or a written amendment to the franchise agreement. A
franchise agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of the parties
as approved by the commissioner with identical terms and conditions for a
brewer and all of its distributors. Any approved amendment to the franchise
agreement becomes a part of the franchise agreement. A brewer and a distributor
may mutually agree in writing to cancel a franchise agreement. A distributor
terminated by a brewer as provided in this article and the rules promulgated
rules under this article no longer has a valid franchise
agreement. If a brewer has reached an agreement to cancel a distributor or has
terminated a distributor, then a brewer may appoint a successor distributor who
accedes to all the rights of the cancelled or terminated distributor.
(9) “Franchise distributor network” means the distributors who have entered into a binding written franchise agreement, identical as to terms and conditions, to distribute nonintoxicating beer products, brands, and line extensions in an assigned territory for a brewer. A brewer may only have one franchise distributor network: Provided, That a brewer that has acquired the manufacturing, bottling, or other production rights for the sale of nonintoxicating beer at wholesale from a selling brewer as specified in §11-16-21(a)(2) of this code, shall continue to maintain and be bound by the selling brewer’s separate franchise distributor’s network for any of its existing brands, line extensions, and new brands.
(10) “Freestanding liquor retail outlet” means a retail outlet that sells only liquor, wine, beer, nonintoxicating beer, and other alcohol-related products, as defined pursuant to §60-3A-4 of this code.
(11) “Growler” means a
container or jug that is made of glass, ceramic, metal, or other material
approved by the commissioner, that may be only 32 or 64 fluid ounces in size
and must be capable of being securely sealed. The growler is utilized used
by an authorized licensee for purposes of off-premise sales only of
nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for personal consumption,
not on a licensed premise and not for resale. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this code to the contrary, a securely sealed growler is not an
open container under federal, state, and local law. A growler with a broken
seal is an open container under federal, state, and local law unless it is
located in an area of the motor vehicle physically separated from the passenger
compartment. The secure sealing of a growler requires the use of a
tamper-resistant seal, security tape, or other material, as approved by
the commissioner, placed on or over the growler’s opening, which seal, security
tape, or other material is clearly marked with the date of the secure sealing
by the authorized licensee who is selling the growler.
(12) “Line extension” means any nonintoxicating beer product that is an extension of brand or family of brands that is labeled, branded, advertised, marketed, promoted, or offered for sale with the intent or purpose of being manufactured, imported, associated, contracted, affiliated, or otherwise related to a brewer’s existing brand through the use of a brewer, its subsidiaries, parent entities, contracted entities, affiliated entities, or other related entities. In determining whether a nonintoxicating beer product is a line extension, the commissioner may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors: Name or partial name; trade name or partial trade name; logos; copyrights; trademarks or trade design; product codes; advertising promotion; or pricing.
(13) “Nonintoxicating beer” means all natural cereal malt beverages or products of the brewing industry commonly referred to as beer, lager beer, ale, and all other mixtures and preparations produced by the brewing industry, including malt coolers and nonintoxicating craft beers with no caffeine infusion or any additives masking or altering the alcohol effect containing at least one half of one percent alcohol by volume, but not more than 9.6 percent of alcohol by weight, or 12 percent by volume, whichever is greater. The word “liquor” as used in chapter 60 of this code, does not include or embrace nonintoxicating beer nor any of the beverages, products, mixtures, or preparations included within this definition.
(14) “Nonintoxicating beer floor plan extension” means a temporary one-day extension of an existing Class A licensee’s floor plan to a contiguous, adjoining, and bounded area, such as a parking lot or outdoor area, which shall, for the temporary period, constitute a part of the licensee’s licensed premises. The licensee’s request for the nonintoxicating beer floor plan extension shall be endorsed or approved by the county or municipality where the licensee’s licensed premises is located. The licensee shall be in good standing with the commissioner. The temporary event shall cease on or before midnight of the approved one-day event.
(14) (15) “Nonintoxicating beer sampling event”
means an event approved by the commissioner for a Class A retail licensee to
hold a nonintoxicating beer sampling authorized pursuant to §11-16-11a of this
code.
(15) (16) “Nonintoxicating beer sampling day” means
any days and hours of the week where Class A retail licensees may sell
nonintoxicating beer pursuant to §11-16-11a and §11-16-18(a)(1) of this code,
and is approved, in writing, by the commissioner to conduct a nonintoxicating
beer sampling event.
(16) (17) “Nonintoxicating craft beer” means any
beverage obtained by the natural fermentation of barley, malt, hops, or any
other similar product or substitute and containing not less than one-half of
one percent by volume and not more than 12 percent alcohol by volume or 9.6
percent alcohol by weight with no caffeine infusion or any additives masking or
altering the alcohol effect.
(17) (18) “Original container” means the container
used by a resident brewer or brewer at the place of manufacturing, bottling, or
otherwise producing nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer for sale
at wholesale.
(18) (19) “Person” means and includes an
individual, firm, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company,
association, or corporation.
(19) (20) “Private club” means a license issued
pursuant to §60-7-1 et seq. of this code.
(20) (21) “Resident brewer” means any brewer or
manufacturer of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer whose
principal place of business and manufacture is located in the State of West
Virginia and which does not brew or manufacture more than 25,000 barrels of
nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer annually, and does not
self-distribute more than 10,000 barrels thereof of nonintoxicating
beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the State of West Virginia annually. An
owner of a licensed private resort hotel may apply, qualify, pay all fees, and
operate under the code as a resident brewer.
(21) (22) “Retailer” means any person selling,
serving, or otherwise dispensing nonintoxicating beer and all products
regulated by this article, including, but not limited to, malt coolers at his
or her established and licensed place of business.
(22) (23) “Tax Commissioner” means the Tax
Commissioner of the State of West Virginia or the commissioner’s designee.
§11-16-5. State license required; alcoholic content of beer manufactured for sale without state.
No A person shall not manufacture, sell,
possess for sale, serve, tender, transport, or distribute
nonintoxicating beer except in accordance with the provisions of this article,
and after first obtaining a state license therefor, as provided in this
article. Nothing contained in this article shall prohibit any brewer located
within the state from manufacturing or transporting for sale without the state
beer of an alcoholic strength greater than that of nonintoxicating beer.
§11-16-6a. Brewer and resident brewer license to manufacture, sell, and provide complimentary samples.
(a) Legislative findings. — The Legislature hereby finds that it is in the public interest to regulate, control, and support the brewing, manufacturing, distribution, sale, consumption, transportation, and storage of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer and its industry in this state in order to protect the public health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of this state, and promote hospitality and tourism. Therefore, this section authorizes a licensed brewer or resident brewer with its principal place of business and manufacture located in this state to have certain abilities in order to promote the sale of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer manufactured in this state for the benefit of the citizens of this state, the state’s growing brewing industry and the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, all of which are vital components for the state’s economy.
(b) Sales of nonintoxicating beer. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer with its principal place of business and manufacture located in the State of West Virginia may offer only nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer manufactured by the licensed brewer or resident brewer for retail sale to customers from the brewer’s or resident brewer’s licensed premises for consumption off the licensed premises only in the form of kegs, bottles, cans, or growlers for personal consumption and not for resale. A licensed brewer or resident brewer may not sell, give or furnish nonintoxicating beer for consumption on the premises of the principal place of business and manufacture located in the State of West Virginia, except for the limited purpose of complimentary samples as permitted in §11-16-6a(c) of this code.
(c) Complimentary samples. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer with its principal place of business and manufacture located in the State of West Virginia may only offer complimentary samples of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer brewed at the brewer’s or resident brewer’s principal place of business and manufacture located in the State of West Virginia. The complimentary samples may be no greater than two ounces per sample per patron, and a sampling shall not exceed 10 complimentary two-ounce samples per patron per day. A licensed brewer or resident brewer providing complimentary samples shall provide complimentary food items to the patron consuming the complimentary samples; and prior to any sampling, verify, using proper identification, that the patron sampling is 21 years of age or over and that the patron is not visibly intoxicated.
(d) Retail sales. —
Every licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section shall comply with
all the provisions of this article as applicable to nonintoxicating beer
retailers when conducting sales of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating
craft beer and shall be is subject to all applicable requirements
and penalties in this article.
(e) Payment of taxes and fees. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section shall pay all taxes and fees required of licensed nonintoxicating beer retailers, in addition to any other taxes and fees required, and meet applicable licensing provisions as required by this chapter and by rule of the commissioner.
(f) Advertising. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section may advertise a particular brand or brands of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer produced by the licensed brewer or resident brewer and the price of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer subject to state and federal requirements or restrictions. The advertisement may not encourage intemperance.
(g) Growler requirements.
— A licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section must fill a growler
and patrons are not permitted to access the secure area or fill a growler. A
licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section must shall sanitize,
fill, securely seal, and label any growler prior to its sale. A licensed brewer
or resident brewer under this section may only offer for retail sale up to
two 128-ounce, 64-ounce, or four 32-ounce, growlers of
nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer manufactured by the licensed
brewer or resident brewer per customer per day for personal consumption
off of the licensed premises and not for resale. A licensed brewer or resident
brewer under this section may refill a growler subject to the requirements of
this section. A licensed brewer or resident brewer shall visually inspect any
growler before filling or refilling it. A licensed brewer or resident brewer
may not fill or refill any growler that appears to be cracked, broken, unsafe,
or otherwise unfit to serve as a sealed beverage container.
(h) Growler labeling. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section selling growlers shall affix a conspicuous label on all sold and securely sealed growlers listing the name of the licensee selling the growler, the brand of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the growler, the alcohol content by volume of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the growler, and the date the growler was filled or refilled, and, further, all labeling on the growler shall be consistent with all federal labeling and warning requirements.
(i) Growler sanitation. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer authorized under this section shall clean and sanitize all growlers he or she fills or refills in accordance with all state and county health requirements prior to its sealing. In addition, the licensed brewer or resident brewer shall sanitize, in accordance with all state and county health requirements, all taps, tap lines, pipe lines, barrel tubes, and any other related equipment used to fill or refill growlers. Failure to comply with this subsection may result in penalties under §11-16-23 of this code.
(j) Fee. — There is no additional fee for a licensed brewer or resident brewer authorized under this section to sell growlers.
(k) Limitations on
licensees. — To be authorized under this section, a licensed brewer or
resident brewer may not produce more than 25,000 barrels per calendar year at
the brewer’s or resident brewer’s principal place of business and manufacture
located in the State of West Virginia. No more than one brewer or resident
brewer license may be issued to a single person or entity and no a
person may not hold both a brewer and a resident brewer license. A
licensed brewer or resident brewer under this section may only conduct tours,
give complimentary samples, and sell growlers during the hours of operation set
forth in §11-16-18(a)(1) of this code. A licensed brewer or resident brewer
authorized under this section shall be is subject to the
applicable penalties under §11-16-23 of this code, for violations of this
section.
(l) Rules. — The
commissioner, in consultation with the Bureau for Public Health concerning
sanitation, is authorized to may propose rules for legislative
approval, pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, to implement this
section.
§11-16-6b. Brewpub, Class A retail dealer, Class B retail dealer, private club, Class A retail licensee, and Class B retail licensee’s authority to sell growlers.
(a) Legislative findings. — The Legislature hereby finds that it is in the public interest to regulate, control, and support the brewing, manufacturing, distribution, sale, consumption, transportation, and storage of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer and its industry in this state in order to protect the public health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of this state and promote hospitality and tourism. Therefore, this section authorizes a licensed brewpub, Class A retail dealer, Class B retail dealer, private club, Class A retail licensee, or Class B retail licensee to have certain abilities in order to promote the sale of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer manufactured in this state for the benefit of the citizens of this state, the state’s growing brewing industry, and the state’s hospitality and tourism industry, all of which are vital components for the state’s economy.
(b) Sales of
nonintoxicating beer. — A licensed brewpub, Class A retail dealer, Class B
retail dealer, private club, Class A retail licensee, or Class B retail
licensee who pays the fee in §11-16-6b(i) of this code and meets the
requirements of this section may offer nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating
craft beer for retail sale to patrons from their its licensed
premises in a growler for personal consumption only off of the licensed
premises and not for resale. Prior to the sale, the licensee shall verify,
using proper identification, that any patron purchasing nonintoxicating beer or
nonintoxicating craft beer is 21 years of age or over and that the patron is
not visibly intoxicated. A licensee authorized under this section may not sell,
give, or furnish alcoholic liquors, including wine, for consumption off of its
licensed premises, unless it is a private club licensed to sell sealed wine for
consumption off of the licensed premises and meets the requirements set out in subdivisions
§60-8-3(j) and §60-8-3(l) of this code, for the sale of wine, not liquor.
(c) Retail sales. —
Every licensee authorized under this section shall comply with all the
provisions of this article as applicable to nonintoxicating beer
retailers when conducting sales of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating
craft beer and shall be is subject to all applicable requirements
and penalties in this article.
(d) Payment of taxes and fees. — A licensee authorized under this section shall pay all taxes and fees required of licensed nonintoxicating beer retailers, in addition to any other taxes and fees required, and meet applicable licensing provisions as required by this chapter and by rule of the commissioner.
(e) Advertising. — A licensee authorized under this section may advertise a particular brand or brands of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer and the price of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer subject to state and federal requirements or restrictions. The advertisement may not encourage intemperance.
(f) Growler requirements.
— A licensee authorized under this section must fill a growler and patrons are
not permitted to access the secure area or fill a growler. A licensee
authorized under this section must shall sanitize, fill, securely
seal, and label any growler prior to its sale. A licensee authorized under this
section may only offer for retail sale up to two 128 ounce 64-ounce,
or four 32-ounce, growlers of nonintoxicating beer or
nonintoxicating craft beer per customer per day for personal consumption
off of the licensed premises and not for resale. A licensee under this section
may refill a growler subject to the requirements of this section. A licensee
shall visually inspect any growler before filling or refilling it. A licensee
may not fill or refill any growler that appears to be cracked, broken, unsafe,
or otherwise unfit to serve as a sealed beverage container.
(g) Growler labeling. — A licensee authorized under this section selling growlers shall affix a conspicuous label on all sold and securely sealed growlers listing the name of the licensee selling the growler, the brand of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the growler, the alcohol content by volume of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in the growler, and the date the growler was filled or refilled, and, further, all labeling on the growler shall be consistent with all federal labeling and warning requirements.
(h) Growler sanitation. — A licensed brewer or resident brewer authorized under this section shall clean and sanitize all growlers he or she fills or refills in accordance with all state and county health requirements prior to its sealing. In addition, the licensed brewer or resident brewer shall sanitize, in accordance with all state and county health requirements, all taps, tap lines, pipe lines, barrel tubes, and any other related equipment used to fill or refill growlers. Failure to comply with this subsection may result in penalties under §11-16-23 of this code.
(i) Fees. - Commencing
July 1, 2015, and by On every July 1 thereafter, there
is an annual $100 nonrefundable non-prorated fee for a licensee, except
for a licensed brewpub, to sell growlers as provided by this section. The
licensee must be in good standing with the state at the time of paying the fee.
Commencing July 1, 2018, and every July 1 thereafter, there is an additional
annual nonrefundable and non-prorated fee of $100, except for a licensed
brewpub, a Class A retail dealer, or a private club which are permitted by
their license to conduct on premises sales of nonintoxicating beer or
nonintoxicating craft beer samples, for a growler sampling license to permit complimentary
nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer sampling to be served prior
to the purchase of a growler as set forth in §11-16-6b(l) of this code.
(j) Limitations on
licensees. — A licensee under this section may only sell growlers during
the hours of operation set forth in subdivision §11-16-18(a)(1) of this
code. Any licensee licensed under this section must shall maintain
a secure area for the sale of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft
beer in a growler. The secure area must only be accessible by the licensee. Any
licensee licensed under this section shall be is subject to the
applicable penalties under §11-16-23 of this code.
(k) Nonapplicability of certain statutes. — Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, to the contrary, licensees under this section are permitted to break the seal of the original container for the limited purpose of filling a growler as provided in this section or for those licensees obtaining a nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license for the limited purpose of providing samples in limited quantities to appropriate patrons. Any unauthorized sale of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer or any consumption not permitted on the licensee’s licensed premises is subject to penalties under this article.
(l) Complimentary samples. — A licensee authorized under this section, who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license may only offer complimentary samples to appropriate patrons. The complimentary samples may be no greater than a one-ounce per sample per patron, and a sampling may not exceed three complimentary one-ounce samples per patron per day. A licensee authorized under this section, who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license providing complimentary samples shall provide complimentary food items to the patron consuming the complimentary samples; and prior to any sampling, verify, using proper identification, that the patron sampling is 21 years of age or over and that the patron is not visibly intoxicated. A licensee authorized under this section, who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license may only have its employees who are 21 years of age or over provide the complimentary samples to patrons. Licensed representatives of a brewer, resident brewer, or distributor may attend a sampling event held at the licensed premises of a licensee authorized under this section and who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license; however, they may not provide, furnish, serve, or sell any nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer and may only speak about the product that they represent and that is being sampled. Any nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer must be furnished by the licensee authorized under this section, who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license from its own purchased inventory, with all taxes and fees paid on such beer, and may not be given or furnished by a brewer, resident brewer, or distributor. In no event, shall a licensee authorized under this section, who has obtained the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer growler sampling license, permit any patron to consume nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer from a growler or poured from a growler; such action shall result in the immediate suspension of the licensee’s license.
(m) Rules. —
The commissioner is authorized to may propose rules for
legislative approval, pursuant to §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, to
implement this section.
§11-16-9. Amount of license tax; Class A and Class B retail dealers; purchase and sale of nonintoxicating beer permitted; distributors; brewers; brewpubs.
(a) All retail dealers, distributors, brewpubs, brewers, and resident brewers of nonintoxicating beer and of nonintoxicating craft beer shall pay an annual fee to maintain an active license as required by this article. The license period begins on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year. If the license is granted for a shorter period, then the license fee shall be computed semiannually in proportion to the remainder of the fiscal year. A licensee that fails to complete a renewal application and make payment of its annual license fee in renewing its license on or before June 30 of any subsequent year, after initial application, shall be charged an additional $150 reactivation fee. The reactivation fee may not be prorated or refunded and must be paid prior to or contemporaneously with any renewal application and applicable full year annual license fee. A licensee who continues to operate upon the expiration of its license is subject to all fines, penalties, and sanctions available in §11-16-23 of this code, all as determined by the commissioner.
(b) The annual license fees are as follows:
(1) Retail dealers shall be divided into two classes: Class A and Class B.
(A) For a Class A retail dealer, the license fee is $150 for each place of business; the license fee for social, fraternal, or private clubs not operating for profit, and having been in continuous operation for two years or more immediately preceding the date of application, is $150: Provided, That railroads operating in this state may dispense nonintoxicating beer upon payment of an annual license tax of $10 for each dining, club or buffet car in which the beer is dispensed.
Class A licenses issued for railroad dining, club or buffet cars authorize the licensee to sell nonintoxicating beer at retail for consumption only on the licensed premises where sold. All other Class A licenses authorize the licensee to sell nonintoxicating beer at retail for consumption on or off the licensed premises.
(B) For a Class B retail dealer, the license fee, authorizing the sale of both chilled and unchilled beer, is $150 for each place of business. A Class B license authorizes the licensee to sell nonintoxicating beer at retail in bottles, cans, or other sealed containers only, and only for consumption off the licensed premises. A Class B retailer may sell to a patron, for personal use and not for resale, quantities of draught beer in original containers that are no larger in size than one-half barrel for off-premises consumption.
A Class B license may be issued only to the proprietor or owner of a grocery store. For the purpose of this article, the term “grocery store” means any retail establishment commonly known as a grocery store or delicatessen, and caterer or party supply store, where food or food products are sold for consumption off the premises, and which includes a separate and segregated portion of any other retail store which is dedicated solely to the sale of food, food products, and supplies for the table for consumption off the premises. Caterers or party supply stores are required to purchase the appropriate licenses from the Alcohol Beverage Control Administration.
(2) For a distributor, the license fee is $1,000 for each place of business.
(3) For a brewer or a resident brewer with its principal place of business or manufacture located in this state and who produces:
(A) Twelve thousand five hundred barrels or less of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer, the license fee is $500 for each place of manufacture;
(B) Twelve thousand five hundred one barrels and up to 25,000 barrels of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer, the license fee is $1,000 for each place of manufacture;
(C) More than 25,001 barrels of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer, the license fee is $1,500 for each place of manufacture.
(4) For a brewer whose principal place of business or manufacture is not located in this state, the license fee is $1,500. The brewer is exempt from the requirements set out in §11-16-9(c), §11-16-9(d), and §11-16-9(e) of this code: Provided, That a brewer whose principal place of business or manufacture is not located in this state that produces less than 25,000 barrels of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer may choose to apply in writing to the commissioner to be subject to the variable license fees of §11-16-9(b)(3) of this code and the requirements set out in §11-16-9(c), §11-16-9(d), and §11-16-9(e) of this code subject to investigation and approval by the commissioner as to brewer requirements.
(5) For a brewpub, the license fee is $500 for each place of manufacture.
(c) As part of the application or renewal application and in order to determine a brewer or resident brewer’s license fee pursuant to this section, a brewer or resident brewer shall provide the commissioner, on a form provided by the commissioner, with an estimate of the number of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer barrels and gallons it will produce during the year based upon the production capacity of the brewer’s or resident brewer’s manufacturing facilities, and the prior year’s production and sales volume of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer.
(d) On or before July 15 of
each year, every brewer or resident brewer who is granted a license shall file
a final report, on a form provided by the commissioner, that is dated as of
June 30 of each that year, stating the actual volume of
nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer in barrels and gallons
produced at its principal place of business and manufacture during the prior
year.
(e) If the actual total production of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer by the brewer or resident brewer exceeded the brewer’s or resident brewer’s estimate that was filed with the application or renewal for a brewer’s or resident brewer’s license for that period, then the brewer or resident brewer shall include a remittance for the balance of the license fee pursuant to this section that would be required for the final, higher level of production.
(f) Any brewer or resident brewer failing to file the reports required in §11-16-9(c) and §11-16-9(d) of this code, and who is not exempt from the reporting requirements, shall, at the discretion of the commissioner, be subject to the penalties set forth in §11-16-23 of this code.
(g) Notwithstanding §11-16-9(a) and §11-16-9(b) of this code, the license fee per event for a nonintoxicating beer floor plan extension is $100. The fee may not be prorated or refunded. The fee must be accompanied with a license application and certification that the event meets certain requirements in the code and rules, and other information the commissioner may reasonably require, at least 15 days prior to the event, all as determined by the commissioner.
§11-16-11b. Special license for one-day charitable events; application; license subject to provisions of article; exception.
(1) The commissioner may issue a special one-day license to be designated a Class S1 license for the retail sale of nonintoxicating beer and nonintoxicating craft beer to a duly-organized nonprofit corporation, limited liability entity, or an association having received federal tax exempt status allowing the sale and serving of nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer when raising money for artistic, athletic, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. The commissioner may not charge a fee to the applicant that meets requirements for licensure. The special license shall be issued for a term no longer than one day. No more than 10 licenses may be issued to any single licensee during any calendar year. The license application shall contain a copy of the documents showing approved federal tax exempt status and other information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 15 days prior to the event. Nonintoxicating beer served and sold during the event shall be purchased from a licensed retailer, distributor, or resident brewer that services the location where the festival, fair, or other event is occurring. Licensed representatives of distributors, brewers, or resident brewers may attend the one-day event and discuss their products, but may not engage in the serving or selling of the nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer. A licensee licensed by this section may use bona fide employees or volunteers of the charitable entity.
(2) A license issued under the provisions of this section and the licensee holding the license are subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order allow certain waivers or exceptions with respect to those provisions, rules, or orders as the circumstances of each event requires, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions of §11-16-24 of this code: Provided, however, That under no circumstances may the provisions §11-16-18(a) (1), §11-16-18(a)(2), or §11-16-18(a)(3) of this code, be waived or an exception granted with respect to those provisions.
§11-16-18. Unlawful acts of licensees; criminal penalties.
(a) It shall be is unlawful:
(1) For any licensee, his, her, its or
their servants, agents or employees to sell, give, or dispense, or any
individual to drink or consume, in or on any licensed premises or in any rooms
directly connected, nonintoxicating beer or cooler on weekdays between the
hours of two o’clock 2:00 a. m. and seven o’clock 7:00 a.
m., or between the hours of two o’clock a. m. and one o’clock p. m.,
or a Class A retail dealer who sells nonintoxicating beer for on premises
consumption only between the hours of two o’clock 2:00 a. m. and ten
o’clock 10:00 a. m. in any county upon approval as provided for in
section three-pp, article one, chapter seven of this code, on any Sunday,
except in private clubs licensed under the provisions of article seven,
chapter sixty §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, where the hours shall
conform with the hours of sale of alcoholic liquors;
(2) For any licensee, his, her, its or their servants, agents or employees to sell, furnish or give any nonintoxicating beer, as defined in this article, to any person visibly or noticeably intoxicated or to any person known to be insane or known to be a habitual drunkard;
(3) For any licensee, his, her, its or
their servants, agents or employees to sell, furnish or give any
nonintoxicating beer as defined in this article to any person who is less than twenty-one
21 years of age;
(4) For any distributor to sell or offer
to sell, or any retailer to purchase or receive, any nonintoxicating beer as
defined in this article, except for cash and no a right of action
shall not exist to collect any claims for credit extended contrary to
the provisions of this subdivision. Nothing herein contained in this
section prohibits a licensee from crediting to a purchaser the actual price
charged for packages or containers returned by the original purchaser as a
credit on any sale, or from refunding to any purchaser the amount paid or
deposited for the containers when title is retained by the vendor: Provided,
That a distributor may accept an electronic transfer of funds if the transfer
of funds is initiated by an irrevocable payment order on the invoiced amount
for the nonintoxicating beer. The cost of the electronic fund transfer shall
be borne by the retailer and the distributor shall initiate the transfer no later
than 12:00 p. m. of one business day after the delivery;
(5) For any brewer, distributor, or brew-pub, or his, her, its or their agents to transport or deliver nonintoxicating beer as defined in this article to any retail licensee on Sunday;
(6) For any brewer or distributor to give,
furnish, rent, or sell any equipment, fixtures, signs or supplies, directly or
indirectly, or through a subsidiary or affiliate, to any licensee engaged in
selling products of the brewing industry at retail or to offer any prize,
premium, gift or other similar inducement, except advertising matter of nominal
value, to either trade or consumer buyers: Provided, That a distributor
may offer, for sale or rent, tanks of carbonic gas. Nothing herein
contained in this section prohibits a brewer from sponsoring any professional
or amateur athletic event or from providing prizes or awards for participants
and winners in any events: Provided, however, That no an event
shall not be sponsored which permits actual participation by athletes or
other persons who are minors, unless specifically authorized by the
commissioner;
(7) For any licensee to permit in his or her premises any lewd, immoral, or improper entertainment, conduct or practice;
(8) For any licensee, except the holder of a license, to operate a private club issued under the provisions of §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, or a holder of a license or a private wine restaurant issued under the provisions of §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, to possess a federal license, tax receipt or other permit entitling, authorizing, or allowing the licensee to sell liquor or alcoholic drinks other than nonintoxicating beer;
(9) For any licensee to obstruct the view of the interior of his or her premises by enclosure, lattice, drapes, or any means which would prevent plain view of the patrons occupying the premises. The interior of all licensed premises shall be adequately lighted at all times: Provided, That the provisions of this subdivision do not apply to the premises of a Class B retailer, the premises of a private club licensed under the provisions of §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, or the premises of a private wine restaurant licensed under the provisions of §60-8-1 et seq. of this code;
(10) For any licensee to manufacture, import, sell, trade, barter, possess, or acquiesce in the sale, possession, or consumption of any alcoholic liquors on the premises covered by a license or on premises directly or indirectly used in connection with it: Provided, That the prohibition contained in this subdivision with respect to the selling or possessing or to the acquiescence in the sale, possession, or consumption of alcoholic liquors is not applicable with respect to the holder of a license to operate a private club issued under the provisions of §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, nor shall the prohibition be applicable to a private wine restaurant licensed under the provisions of §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, insofar as the private wine restaurant is authorized to serve wine;
(11) For any retail licensee to sell or dispense nonintoxicating beer, as defined in this article, purchased or acquired from any source other than a distributor, brewer, or manufacturer licensed under the laws of this state;
(12) For any licensee to permit loud, boisterous, or disorderly conduct of any kind upon his or her premises, or to permit the use of loud musical instruments if either or any of the same may disturb the peace and quietude of the community where the business is located: Provided, That a licensee may have speaker systems for outside broadcasting so long as the noise levels do not create a public nuisance or violate local noise ordinances;
(13) For any person whose license has been revoked, as provided in this article, to obtain employment with any retailer within the period of one year from the date of the revocation, or for any retailer to knowingly employ that person within the specified time;
(14) For any distributor to sell, possess for sale, transport, or distribute nonintoxicating beer except in the original container;
(15) For any licensee to knowingly permit any act to be done upon the licensed premises, the commission of which constitutes a crime under the laws of this state;
(16) For any Class B retailer to permit
the consumption of nonintoxicating beer upon his or her its licensed
premises;
(17) For any Class A licensee, his, her,
its or their servants, agents or employees, or for any licensee by or through
any servants, agents, or employees, to allow, suffer, or permit any person less
than eighteen 18 years of age to loiter in or upon any licensed
premises; except, however, that the provisions of this subdivision do
not apply where a person under the age of eighteen 18 years is in or
upon the premises in the immediate company of his or her parent or parents, or
where and while a person under the age of 18 years is in or upon the premises
for the purpose of and actually making a lawful purchase of any items or
commodities therein sold upon the premises, or for the purchase
of and actually receiving any lawful service therein rendered upon
the premises, including the consumption of any item of food, drink, or soft
drink therein lawfully prepared and served or sold for consumption on
the premises;
(18) For any distributor to sell, offer for sale, distribute, or deliver any nonintoxicating beer outside the territory assigned to any distributor by the brewer or manufacturer of nonintoxicating beer or to sell, offer for sale, distribute, or deliver nonintoxicating beer to any retailer whose principal place of business or licensed premises is within the assigned territory of another distributor of such nonintoxicating beer: Provided, That nothing in this section is considered to prohibit sales of convenience between distributors licensed in this state where one distributor sells, transfers, or delivers to another distributor a particular brand or brands for sale at wholesale; and
(19) For any licensee or any agent, servant, or employee of any licensee to knowingly violate any rule lawfully promulgated by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code.
(b) Any person who violates any provision
of this article including, but not limited to, any provision of this section,
or any rule, or order lawfully promulgated by the commissioner, or who makes
any false statement concerning any material fact in submitting application for
license, or for a renewal of a license, or in any hearing concerning the
revocation thereof, or who commits any of the acts herein declared by
this article to be unlawful is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not less than $25, nor
more than $500, or confined in the county or regional jail for not less than 30
days nor more than six months, or by both fined and confined.
Magistrates have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court and any other
courts having criminal jurisdiction in their county for the trial of all
misdemeanors arising under this article.
(c) (1) A Class B licensee that:
(A) Has installed a transaction scan device on its licensed premises; and
(B) Can demonstrate that it requires each employee, servant, or agent to verify the age of any individual to whom nonintoxicating beer is sold, furnished, or given away by the use of the transaction device may not be subject to: (i) Any criminal penalties whatsoever, including those set forth in §11-16-18(b) of this code; (ii) any administrative penalties from the commissioner; or (iii) any civil liability whatsoever for the improper sale, furnishing, or giving away of nonintoxicating beer to an individual who is less than 21 years of age by one of his or her employees, servants, or agents. Any agent, servant, or employee who has improperly sold, furnished, or given away nonintoxicating beer to an individual less than 21 years of age is subject to the criminal penalties of §11-16-18(b) of this code. Any agent, servant, or employee who has improperly sold, furnished or given away nonintoxicating beer to an individual less than 21 is subject to termination from employment, and the employer shall have no civil liability for the termination.
(2) For purposes of this section, a Class B licensee can demonstrate that it requires each employee, servant, or agent to verify the age of any individual to whom nonintoxicating beer is sold by providing evidence: (A) That it has developed a written policy which requires each employee, servant, or agent to verify the age of each individual to whom nonintoxicating beer will be sold, furnished, or given away; (B) that it has communicated this policy to each employee, servant, or agent; and (C) that it monitors the actions of its employees, servants or agents regarding the sale, furnishing, or giving away of nonintoxicating beer and that it has taken corrective action for any discovered noncompliance with this policy.
(3) “Transaction scan” means the process by which a person checks, by means of a transaction scan device, the age and identity of the cardholder, and “transaction scan device” means any commercial device or combination of devices used at a point of sale that is capable of deciphering in an electronically readable format the information enclosed on the magnetic strip or bar code of a driver’s license or other governmental identity card.
(d) Nothing in this article nor any rule or
regulation of the commissioner shall prevent or be considered to prohibit
any licensee from employing any person who is at least 18 years of age to serve
in the licensee’s lawful employ, including the sale or delivery of
nonintoxicating beer as defined in this article. With the prior approval of the
commissioner, a licensee whose principal business is the sale of food or
consumer goods or the providing of recreational activities, including, but not
limited to, nationally franchised fast food outlets, family-oriented
restaurants, bowling alleys, drug stores, discount stores, grocery stores, and
convenience stores, may employ persons who are less than 18 years of age, but
at least 16 years of age: Provided, That the person’s duties may not
include the sale or delivery of nonintoxicating beer or alcoholic liquors:
Provided, however, That the authorization to employ persons under the age
of 18 years shall be clearly indicated on the licensee’s license.
CHAPTER 60. STATE CONTROL OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS.
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
§60-1-5a. Farm wineries defined.
(a) For the purpose of this
chapter “Farm winery” means an establishment where, in any year, 50,000 gallons
or less of wine and nonfortified dessert wine are manufactured exclusively by
natural fermentation from grapes, other fruits, or honey, or other agricultural
products containing sugar and where port, sherry, and Madeira wine may also be
manufactured, with 25 percent of such the raw products being
produced by the owner of such the farm winery on the premises of
that establishment and no more than 25 percent of such the produce
originating from any source outside this state. Any port, sherry, or Madeira
wine manufactured by a winery or a farm winery must not exceed an alcoholic
content of 22 percent alcohol by volume and shall be matured in wooden barrels
or casks.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of §60-1-5a(a) of this code, a farm winery may include one off-farm location. The owner of a farm winery may provide to the commissioner evidence, accompanied by written findings by the West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner in support thereof, that the owner has planted on the premises of the farm winery young nonbearing fruit plants. The commissioner may grant permission for one off-farm location in an amount equal to that reasonably expected to be produced when the nonbearing fruit plants planted on the farm winery come into full production. The length of time of the permission to use an off-farm location shall be determined by the commissioner after consultation with the Agriculture Commissioner.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of §60-1-5a(a) of this code, a licensed farm winery that meets the requirements in this chapter and who is in good standing with the state may enter into an alternating wine proprietorship agreement with the owner of a farm located in West Virginia to rent or lease wine production facilities, equipment, and space, including a separately bonded wine area at the existing licensed farm winery’s premises. The owner of a farm located in West Virginia entering the alternating wine proprietorship agreement must be currently producing grapes, other fruits, or honey, or other agricultural products containing sugar as certified by the West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner at his or her farm located in West Virginia. The owner of a farm located in West Virginia renting or leasing wine production facilities, equipment, and space, as a tenant of a licensed farm winery must separately meet federal requirements and state requirements for a winery or farm winery and qualify and obtain such licensure. Further, wine produced by any of the parties to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement may not be commingled, and also the wine must be maintained in separate bonded areas and storage that is sanitary. The parties to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement shall maintain separate businesses, produce wine separately from each entity, and shall not assist the other parties. The owner of a farm located in West Virginia that is a party to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement may only produce, in any year, 50,000 gallons or less of wine and nonfortified dessert wine manufactured exclusively by natural fermentation from grapes, other fruits, or honey, or other agricultural products containing sugar; allowing port, sherry, and Madeira wine to be manufactured by such farm owner within the all gallonage limit, with 25 percent of the raw products being produced by the owner of the farm on his or her farm location premises in West Virginia and no more than 25 percent of the produce originating from any source outside this state. Any port, sherry, or Madeira wine manufactured by a licensed winery, farm winery or farm with a validly entered alternating wine proprietorship agreement may not exceed an alcoholic content of 22 percent alcohol by volume and shall be matured in wooden barrels or casks. A farm and farm owner that is a party to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement and licensed pursuant to this subsection shall obtain licensure as a farm winery and shall meet the same requirements in the code and the rules. A licensed farm winery may enter into multiple alternating wine proprietorship agreements with separate owners of farms located in West Virginia subject to the requirements of the code and the rules, and must also have the requisite production facilities, equipment, and space to safely produce wine for all parties.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of §60-1-5a(a) of this code, alternating wine proprietorship agreements in §60-1-5a(c) of this code may also be entered into by two or more separate owners of farms located in West Virginia to co-own and share the use of wine production facilities, equipment, and space including a separately bonded wine area for each owner of a farm located in West Virginia. The two or more farms entering the alternating wine proprietorship agreement must all be located in West Virginia and must be currently producing grapes, other fruits, or honey, or other agricultural products containing sugar as certified by the West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner at the farms located in West Virginia. The farm owners, their farms located in West Virginia, and the premises where the wine will be manufactured must be located in West Virginia and must each separately meet federal requirements and state requirements for a winery or farm winery. Further, wine produced by any of the parties to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement may not be commingled, and also the wine must be maintained in separate bonded areas and storage that is sanitary. The parties to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement shall maintain separate businesses, produce wine separately from each entity, and shall not assist the other parties. The owners of farms located in West Virginia that are parties to the alternating wine proprietorship agreement may each only produce in any year 50,000 gallons or less of wine and nonfortified dessert wine manufactured exclusively by natural fermentation from grapes, other fruits, or honey, or other agricultural products containing sugar; allowing port, sherry, and Madeira wine to be manufactured by such farm owner within the gallonage limit, with 25 percent of such raw products being produced by the owner of such farms at their farm premises located in West Virginia and no more than 25 percent of such produce originating from any source outside this state. Any port, sherry, or Madeira wine manufactured by a licensed winery, farm winery, or farm with a validly entered alternating wine proprietorship agreement shall not exceed an alcoholic content of 22 percent alcohol by volume and shall be matured in wooden barrels or casks. Farms and farm owners that are a party to an alternating wine proprietorship agreement and licensed pursuant to this subsection shall each obtain licensure as a farm winery and shall meet the same requirements in the code and the rules, except where noted. Owners of farms located in West Virginia that obtain licensure as farm wineries and who are parties to a valid alternating wine proprietorship agreement to co-own or share facilities are subject to the requirements of the code and the rules and must also have the requisite production facilities, equipment, and space to safely produce wine for all parties to the alternating wine proprietorship agreement.
(e) The commissioner shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, that are necessary to effectuate the requirements of this section.
ARTICLE 2. ALCOHOL BEVERAGE CONTROL COMMISSIONER.
§60-2-17a. Request law enforcement assistance.
The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner may request the West Virginia State Police to assist the commissioner pursuant §15-2-12(i) of this code, and the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner may further request, in writing, the assistance of sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and municipal police officers in the coordination and enforcement of §11-16-1 et seq. of this code, and chapter 60 of this code, and further the assistance shall not be unreasonably withheld. The state police officers, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and municipal police officers who are assisting the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner, and its agents, with the civil and administrative enforcement of the code, may further act upon crimes committed in their presence.
ARTICLE 3. SALES BY COMMISSIONER.
§60-3-12. Days and hours state stores and agencies may open.
The commission shall fix the days on which state stores
shall be open and the hours of opening and closing, and the hours during which
agencies may sell alcoholic liquors. Stores shall not be open nor shall
agencies sell alcoholic liquors on:1. Sundays, until after 10:00
a. m.
2. Any general election day.
ARTICLE 3A. SALES BY RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSEES.
§60-3A-18. Days and hours retail licensees may sell liquor.
Retail licensees may not sell liquor on Sundays between
the hours of 12:00 a. m. and 10:00 a. m., and on Christmas day, or on
all other days of the week between the hours of 12:00 a. m. and 8:00
a. m., except that wine and fortified wines may be sold on those days and at such
times as authorized in §60-8-34 of this code.
§60-3A-25. Certain acts of retail licensees prohibited; criminal penalties.
(a) It is unlawful for any retail licensee, or agent or
employee thereof, on such the retail licensee’s premises to:
(1) Sell or offer for sale any liquor other than from the original package or container;
(2) Sell, give away, or permit the sale of, gift of, or the procurement of, any liquor, for or to any person under 21 years of age;
(3) Sell, give away, or permit the sale of, gift of, or the procurement of, any liquor, for or to any person visibly intoxicated;
(4) Sell or offer for sale any liquor on any Sunday or
other than during the hours permitted for the sale of liquor by retail
licensees as provided under this article;
(5) Permit the consumption by any person of any liquor;
(6) With the intent to defraud, alter, change or misrepresent the quality, quantity, or brand name of any liquor;
(7) Permit any person under 18 years of age to sell, furnish, or give liquor to any other person;
(8) Purchase or otherwise obtain liquor in any manner or from any source other than that specifically authorized in this article; or
(9) Permit any person to break the seal on any package or bottle of liquor.
(b) Any person who violates any provision of this article, except §60-3A-24 of this code, including, but not limited to, any provision of this section, or any rule promulgated by the board or the commissioner, or who makes any false statement concerning any material fact, or who omits any material fact with intent to deceive, in submitting an application for a retail license or for a renewal of a retail license or in any hearing concerning the suspension or revocation thereof, or who commits any of the acts declared in this article to be unlawful, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, shall, upon conviction thereof, for each offense be fined not less than $100 or more than $5,000, or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than one year, or both fined and imprisoned. Magistrates have concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts for offenses under this article.
(c) Nothing in this article, or any rule of the board or
commissioner, prevents or prohibits any retail licensee from employing any
person who is at least 18 years of age to serve in any retail licensee’s lawful
employment at any retail outlet operated by such the retail licensee, or
from having such that person sell or deliver liquor under the
provisions of this article. With the prior approval of the commissioner, a
retail licensee may employ persons at any retail outlet operated by such retail
licensee who are less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age, but such
that persons duties shall not include the sale or delivery of liquor: Provided,
That the authorization to employ such persons under the age of 18 years
shall be clearly indicated on the retail license issued to any such
retail licensee.
ARTICLE 4. LICENSES.
§60-4-3a. Distillery and mini-distillery license to manufacture and sell.
(a) Sales of liquor. — An operator of a distillery or a
mini-distillery may offer sealed original container bottles of liquor manufactured
by the distillery or mini-distillery for retail sale to customers from the
distillery or the mini-distillery for consumption off premises only, if the
customers do not include Class A licensed private clubs. Except for free
complimentary samples offered pursuant to §60-6-1 of this code, and for
sales of liquor by the drink from a licensed distillery or mini-distillery that
qualifies, pays the license fee, and obtains a Class A private club license
pursuant to §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, at the licensed premises
located at the distillery or mini-distillery’s licensed manufacturing premises
or at one off-distillery or at one off mini-distillery location which shall be
located within the same county where the distillery or mini-distillery’s
manufacturing premises is located, customers are prohibited from consuming
any liquor on the premises of the distillery or the mini-distillery:
Provided, That a licensed distillery or mini-distillery may: offer for
the retail sale of sealed original container bottles of liquor to customers for
consumption off premises only; offer complimentary samples per this
subsection of alcoholic liquors manufactured by that licensed distillery or
mini-distillery for consumption on the premises only; and sell liquor by the
drink for consumption on premises only in its duly licensed Class A private
club’s licensed premises on Sundays beginning at 10:00 a. m. in any
county in which the same has been approved as provided for in §7-1-3pp of this code. Further
a licensed distillery or mini-distillery that qualifies, pays the
licensee fee, and obtains a Class A private club license pursuant to §60-7-1 et
seq. of this code, must purchase liquor as required by all private clubs
from retail liquor outlets within its market zone, as further specified in
§60-3A-1 et seq. and §60-7-1 et seq. of this code.
(b) Retail sales. — Every licensed distillery or mini-distillery shall comply with the provisions of §60-3A-9, §60-3A-11, §60-3A-13, §60-3A-16, §60-3A-17, §60-3A-18, §60-3A-19, §60-3A-22, §60-3A-23, §60-3A-24, §60-3A-25, and §60-3A-26 of this code applicable to liquor retailers and distillers.
(c) Payment of taxes and fees. — The distillery
or mini-distillery shall pay all taxes and fees required of licensed retailers
and meet applicable licensing provisions as required by this chapter and
by rule of the commissioner, except for payments of the wholesale markup
percentage and the handling fee provided by rule of the commissioner: Provided,
That all liquor used for complimentary samples or offered for sale to
customers from the distillery or the mini-distillery for off-premises consumption
shall be is subject to a five percent wholesale markup fee and an
80 cents per case bailment fee to be paid to the commissioner: Provided,
however, That no liquor sold by the distillery or mini-distillery
shall not be priced less than the price set by the commissioner pursuant
to §60-3A-17 of this code.
(d) Payments to market zone retailers. — Each distillery or mini-distillery shall submit to the commissioner two percent of the gross sales price of each retail liquor sale for the value of all sales at the distillery or the mini-distillery each month. This collection shall be distributed by the commissioner, at least quarterly, to each market zone retailer located in the distillery or mini-distillery’s market zone, proportionate to each market zone retailer’s annual gross prior years’ pretax value sales. The maximum amount of market zone payments that a distillery or mini-distillery shall be required to submit to the commissioner is $15,000 per annum.
(e) Building Code and Tax Classification. — Notwithstanding any provision of this code, to the contrary, the mere addition of a distillery or mini-distillery licensed to a property under this article does not change the nature or use of the property that would otherwise qualify as an agricultural use for building code and property tax classification purposes.
(f) Limitations on
licensees. — No A distillery
or mini-distillery may not sell more than 3,000 gallons of product at
the distillery or mini-distillery location the initial two years of licensure.
The distillery or mini-distillery may increase sales at the distillery or
mini-distillery location by 2,000 gallons following the initial 24-month period
of licensure and may increase sales at the distillery or mini-distillery
location each subsequent 24-month period by 2,000 gallons, not to exceed 10,000
gallons a year of total sales at the distillery or mini-distillery location. No
A licensed mini-distillery may not produce more than 50,000
gallons per calendar year at the mini-distillery location. No more than one
distillery or mini-distillery license may be issued to a single person or
entity and no a person may hold both a distillery and a
mini-distillery license.
§60-4-3b. Winery and farm winery license to manufacture and sell.
(a) Sales of wine. —
An operator of a winery or farm winery may offer wine produced by the winery or
farm winery for retail sale to customers from the winery, or farm winery or a farm winery’s licensed
farm location in West Virginia pursuant to §60-1-5a(c) and §60-1-5a(d) of this
code, for consumption off the
premises only, except for complimentary samples; allowing for, no more than three complimentary samples per
patron and no greater, in volume, than one fluid ounce per such sample, offered pursuant to §60-6-1 of this code; and
further, all customers are prohibited from consuming any wine on the premises
of the winery, or farm winery or
farm winery’s licensed farm location in West Virginia pursuant to §60-1-5a(c)
and §60-1-5a(d) of this code, unless such
the winery or farm winery has obtained a multi-capacity winery or farm
winery license: Provided, That a licensed winery or farm winery may: offer
complimentary samples per this subsection of wine manufactured by that licensed
winery or farm winery for consumption on premises only; offer
for the retail sale of sealed original container bottles of wine to customers
for consumption off premises only; and
offer wine by the drink or glass for sale to customers for any licensed winery
or farm winery who has qualified, paid the license fee, and obtained a
multi-capacity license, along with separately being licensed as a private wine
restaurant that is located on its winery or farm winery’s licensed premises, for consumption on the premises only, on Sundays
beginning at 10:00 a. m. in any
county in which the same has been approved as provided in §7-1-3pp of this code.
(b) Retail sales. — Every licensed winery or farm winery shall comply with the provisions of §60-3-1 et seq., §60-4-1 et seq., and §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, as applicable to wine retailers, wineries, and suppliers when properly licensed in such capacities.
(c) Payment of taxes and fees. —
(1) The winery or farm winery shall pay all taxes and fees required of licensed wine retailers and meet applicable licensing provisions as required by this chapter and by rule of the commissioner.
(2) Each winery or farm winery acting as its own supplier shall submit to the Tax Commissioner the liter tax for all sales at the winery or farm winery each month, as provided in §60-8-1 et seq. of this code.
(3) The five percent wine
excise tax, levied pursuant to §60-3-9d,
or pursuant to §8-13-7 of this code, may not
be imposed or collected on purchases of wine in the original sealed package for
the purpose of resale in the original sealed package if the final purchase of such
the wine is subject to the excise tax or if the purchase is delivered
outside this state.
(4) No A liter
tax shall not be collected on wine sold in the original sealed package
for the purpose of resale in the original sealed package if a subsequent sale
of such the wine is subject to the liter tax.
(5) This section shall not be interpreted to authorize a purchase for resale exemption in contravention of §11-15-9a of this code.
(d) Advertising. — A winery or farm winery may advertise a particular brand or brands of wine produced by it and the price of the wine subject to federal requirements or restrictions.
(e) Limitations on
licensees. — A winery or farm winery must shall maintain
separate winery or farm winery supplier, retailer, and direct shipper licenses
when acting in one or more of those capacities and must shall pay
all associated license fees, unless such the winery or farm
winery holds a license issued pursuant to the provisions of §60-8-3(b)(12) of
this code. A winery or farm winery, if holding the appropriate licenses or a
multi-capacity winery or farm winery license, may act as its own supplier;
retailer for off-premises consumption of its wine as specified in §60-6-2 of
this code; private wine restaurant; and direct shipper for wine produced by the
winery or farm winery. All wineries must use a distributor to distribute and
sell their wine in the state, except for farm wineries. No more than one winery
or farm winery license may be issued to a single person or entity and no
a person may hold both a winery
and a farm winery license. Farm
wineries may enter into alternating wine proprietorship agreements pursuant to
§60-1-5a of this code.
(f) For purposes of this section, terms will
have the same meaning, where applicable, as provided in §8-13-7(b) of
this code; otherwise the meaning shall be applied from §60-1-1 et seq.
of this code.
ARTICLE 6. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
§60-6-7. Specific acts forbidden; indictment.
A person shall not:
(1) Manufacture or sell in this state without a license any alcoholic liquor, except as permitted by this article;
(2) Aid or abet in the manufacture or sale of alcoholic liquor without a license, except as permitted by this article;
(3) Sell without a license any alcoholic liquor other than permitted by this article;
(4) Adulterate any alcoholic
liquor by the addition of any drug, methyl alcohol, crude, unrectified or
impure form of ethyl alcohol, or other foreign or deleterious substance
or any other substantiated liquid or liquid designed or intended to
increase alcohol content or potency;
(5) Refill, with alcoholic liquor, any bottle or other container in which alcoholic liquor has been sold at retail in this state;
(6) Advertise any alcoholic
liquor in this state except in accordance with the rules and regulations
of the commissioner;
(7) Distribute, deal in,
process, or use crowns, stamps or seals required under the authority of this
chapter, except in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed
by the commissioner; or
(8) Manufacture or sell, aid or abet in the manufacture or sale, possess, use, or in any other manner, provide or furnish powdered alcohol.
A person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500, or confined in jail not less than 30 days nor more than one year or both such fine and confinement, for the first offense. Upon conviction of a second or subsequent offense, the court may impose a penalty of confinement in the penitentiary for a period not to exceed three years. A person who violates any provision of this section for the second or any subsequent offense under this section, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correction facility for a period not to exceed three years.
An indictment for any first violation of §60-6-7(1), §60-6-7(2) and §60-6-7(3) of this code, or any of them, shall be sufficient if in form or effect as follows:
State of West Virginia
County of ..........................., to wit:
The Grand Jurors of the State of West Virginia, in and for the body of the County of .........., upon their oaths present that ..............., on the ....... day of ........, 20...., in the said County of .........., did unlawfully, without a State license and without authorization under the Alcohol Beverage Control Act, manufacture and sell, and aid and abet in the manufacture and sale of a quantity of alcoholic liquor, against the peace and dignity of the state.
Any indictment under this section shall otherwise be in conformity with §62-9-1 et seq. of this code.
§60-6-8. Unlawful sale or possession by licensee.
A licensed person shall not:
(1) Sell alcoholic liquors
of a kind other than that which such the license or this chapter
authorizes him or her to sell;
(2) Sell beer to which wine, spirits, or alcohol has been added;
(3) Sell wine to which
other alcoholic spirits have been added, otherwise than as required in the
manufacture thereof under regulations rules of the commission;
(4) Sell alcoholic liquors to a person specified in §60-3-22 of this code;
(5) Sell, furnish, or serve alcoholic liquors except as authorized by his or her license, including but not limited to Class A licensees licensed pursuant to §60-7-1 et seq. and §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, for on-premises consumption shall only sell or serve alcoholic liquors by the drink poured by the licensee from the original container, and no original container or bottle sales are permitted, an exception may be permitted for Class A licensees licensed by §60-7-1 et seq. and §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, who may, when selling or serving only wine accompanied with freshly prepared food or meals in excess of $15, permit wine bottle service at a table comprised of two or more patrons. The patrons shall be 21 years of age or older, and be consuming the food, the meal and the wine at the licensed premises.
(6) Sell, furnish, or serve pre-mixed alcoholic liquors that are not in the original container, except for alcohol liquors poured from the original container and used in frozen drink mixing machines or machines used for mixing margaritas and sangrias that mix a nonalcoholic mixer, ice, and the alcoholic liquors: Provided, That the machines are emptied and sanitized daily with any unused mixed alcoholic liquors being disposed of, by the end of operations, the same day.
(7) Sell any alcoholic liquor when forbidden by the provisions of this chapter;
(8) Adulterate any alcoholic liquor by the addition of any other substance or liquid designed or intended to increase the alcohol percentage or potency;
(79) Sell,
possess, possess for sale, furnish, or provide any powdered alcohol;
(810) Keep on
the premises covered by his or her license alcoholic liquor other than that
which he or she is authorized to sell, furnish, or serve by such the
license or by this chapter.
A person who violates any
provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $500, or confined in jail
not less than 30 days nor more than one year, or both fined and confined. Upon
conviction of a second or subsequent offense, the court may in its
discretion, impose a penalty of confinement in a state correctional
facility for a period not to exceed three years. A person who violates any
provision of this section for the second or any subsequent offense under this
section, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof, shall be
imprisoned in a state correctional facility for a period not to exceed three
years.
§60-6-9. Intoxication or drinking in public places; illegal possession of alcoholic liquor; arrests by sheriffs or their deputies for violation in their presence; penalties.
(a) A person may not:
(1) Appear in a public place in an intoxicated condition;
(2) Drink alcoholic liquor in a public place;
(3) Tender a drink of alcoholic liquor to another person in a public place, which tender shall include any person providing cups, glasses, mixers, ice, refrigeration, storage of alcoholic liquors, any food or snacks, a lounge area, or space for patrons to gather, any type of musical entertainment, any type of exotic or other entertainment, or any similar activity to another person who is possessing or consuming alcoholic liquors in a business not licensed pursuant to this chapter, especially in what is referred to as a “bring your own bottle”, “bring your own booze”, or “BYOB”-type business, where tendering a drink in this public place is unlawful as set forth in this chapter and section 46, article VI of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia: Provided, That the Commissioner shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-3-1, et seq. of this code, allowing Class A private clubs and restaurants to permit customers to bring wine purchased elsewhere for consumption on the licensed premises or in the restaurants and to charge a corkage fee for the wine.
(4) Possess alcoholic liquor in the amount in excess of 10 gallons, in containers not bearing stamps or seals of the commissioner, without having first obtained written authority from the commissioner for its possession; or
(5) Possess any alcoholic liquor which was manufactured or acquired in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(b) Any law-enforcement officer may arrest without a warrant and take the following actions against a person who, in his or her presence, violates §60-6-9(a)(1) of this code: (1) If there is some nonintoxicated person who will accept responsibility for the intoxicated person, the officer may issue the intoxicated person a citation specifying a date for appearance before a judicial officer and release him or her to the custody of the individual accepting responsibility: Provided, That the issuance of a citation shall be used whenever feasible; (2) if it does not impose an undue burden on the officer, he or she may, after issuance of the a citation, transport the individual to the individual’s present residence or arrange for the transportation; (3) if the individual is incapacitated or the alternatives provided in §60-6-9(b)(1) and §60-6-9(b)(2) of this code are not possible, the officer shall transport or arrange for transportation to the appropriate judicial officer as defined by §27-11-17 of this code; or (4) if the individual is incapacitated and, in the law-enforcement officer’s judgment, is in need of acute medical attention, that officer shall arrange for transportation by ambulance or otherwise to a hospital emergency room. The officer shall accompany the individual until he or she is discharged from the emergency room or admitted to the hospital. If the individual is released from the emergency room, the officer may proceed as described in §60-6-9(b)(1), §60-6-9(b)(2), and §60-6-9(b)(3) of this code. If the individual is admitted to the hospital, the officer shall issue a citation to the individual specifying a date for appearance before a judicial officer.
(c) Upon presentment before
the proper judicial officer, the law-enforcement officer serves as the chief
complaining witness. The judicial officer shall determine if there is probative
evidence that the individual may be guilty of the charge of public
intoxication. If such evidence is not presented, the charge shall be
dismissed and the individual released. If sufficient evidence is presented, the
judicial officer shall issue a warrant and establish bail or issue a summons to
the individual. Once a warrant or summons has been issued, the following
actions may be taken:
(1) If the individual is no longer incapacitated, he or she may be released;
(2) If the individual is still incapacitated, but a nonintoxicated person is available to accept responsibility for him or her, he or she may be released to the responsible person; or
(3) If the individual is still incapacitated and no responsible person is available, the judicial officer shall proceed under §27-5-1 et seq. and §27-6a-1 et seq. of this code.
(d) Any law-enforcement officer may arrest and hold in custody, without a warrant, until complaint may be made before a judicial officer and a warrant or summons issued, any person who in the presence of the law-enforcement officer violates any one or more of §60-6-9(a)(1) through §60-6-9(a)(6) of this code: Provided, That the law-enforcement officer may use reasonable force to prevent harm to himself or herself, the individual arrested or others in carrying out the provisions of this section.
(e) Any person who violates §60-6-9(a)(1) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced by a judicial officer in accordance with the following options:
(1) Upon first offense, a
fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100. If the individual, prior to
conviction, agrees to voluntarily attend an alcohol education program of not
more than six hours duration at the nearest community mental health mental
retardation center, the judicial officer may delay sentencing until the
program is completed and upon completion may dismiss the charges;
(2) Upon conviction for a
second offense, a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 and not more than
60 days in jail or completion of not less than five hours of alcoholism
counseling at the nearest community mental health mental retardation center;
(3) Upon third and
subsequent convictions, a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $100 and not
less than five nor more than 60 days in jail, or a fine of not less than $5 nor
more than $100 and completion of not less than five hours of alcoholism
counseling at the nearest community mental health mental retardation center:
Provided, That three convictions for public intoxication within the
preceding six months is considered evidence of alcoholism. For the educational
counseling programs described in this subsection the community mental health
mental retardation center may charge each participant its usual and customary
fee and shall certify in writing to the referring judicial officer the
completion or failure to complete the prescribed program for each individual.
(f) A person charged with a violation of §60-6-9(a)(1) of this code who is an alcoholic shall be found not guilty by reason of addiction and proper disposition made pursuant to §27-5-1 et seq. and §27-6a-1 et seq. of this code.
(g) Any person who violates §60-6-9(a)(2) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100; and upon a second or subsequent conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100, or confined in jail not more than 60 days, or both.
(h) Any person who violates §60-6-9(a)(3) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $5 nor more than $100, or confined in jail not more than 60 days, or both.
(i) Any person who violates §60-6-9(a)(4) or §60-6-9(a)(5) of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon his or her first conviction, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500; and upon conviction of second or subsequent offense, he or she is guilty of a felony and, shall be confined in a state correctional facility for a period of not less than one year nor more than three years.
ARTICLE 7. LICENSES TO PRIVATE CLUBS.
§60-7-2. Definitions; power to lease building for establishment of private club.
Unless the context in which used clearly requires a different meaning, as used in this article:
(a) “Applicant” means a private club applying for a license under the provisions of this article.
(b) “Code” means the official Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended.
(c) “Commissioner” means the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commissioner.
(d) “Licensee” means the
holder of a license to operate a private club granted under this article, which
license shall remain is unexpired, unsuspended and unrevoked.
(e) “Private club” means any corporation or unincorporated association which either: (1)
Belongs to or is affiliated with a nationally recognized fraternal or veterans’ organization which is operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, which pays no part of its income to its shareholders or individual members, which owns or leases a building or other premises to which club, are admitted only duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing of the corporation or association and their guests while in the company of a member and to which club the general public is not admitted, and which club maintains in the building or on the premises a suitable kitchen and dining facility with related equipment for serving food to members and their guests; or (2) is a nonprofit social club, which is operated exclusively for the benefit of its members, which pays no part of its income to its shareholders or individual members, which owns or leases a building or other premises to which club are admitted only duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing of the corporation or association and their guests while in the company of a member and to which club the general public is not admitted, and which club maintains in the building or on the premises a suitable kitchen and dining facility with related equipment for serving food to members and their guests; or (3) is organized and operated for legitimate purposes which has at least 100 duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing, which owns or leases a building or other premises, including any vessel licensed or approved by any federal agency to carry or accommodate passengers on navigable waters of this state, to which club are admitted only duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing of the corporation or association and their guests while in the company of a member and to which club the general public is not admitted, and which club maintains in the building or on the premises a suitable kitchen and dining facility with related equipment and employs a sufficient number of persons for serving meals to members and their guests; or (4) is organized for legitimate purposes and owns or leases a building or other delimited premises in any state, county, or municipal park or at any airport, in which building or premises a club has been established, to which club are admitted only duly elected and approved dues-paying members in good standing and their guests while in the company of a member and to which club the general public is not admitted, and which maintains in connection with the club a suitable kitchen and dining facility and related equipment and employs a sufficient number of persons for serving meals in the club to the members and their guests.
(f) “Private club and carryout” means an applicant for private club or a licensed private club meeting the separate requirements of §60-7-1 et seq. of this code, for a private club, the requirements under §11-16-1 et seq. of this code, for a Class B nonintoxicating beer license, the requirements under §60-8-1 et seq. of this code, for a Class B wine license and the criteria set forth in this subsection which:
(1) Has at least 100 members for the private club area;
(2) Has the same person or entity applied and qualified separately for each license and paid the appropriate fees and meets all other requirements;
(3) Has a Class A private club that is separate, but directly connected and contiguous with Class B license, such that there is an interconnected doorway, hallway, or foyer for the licensee’s employee use only, and further that the Class A private club and Class B licensee have separate entry and exit points for patrol ingress and egress;
(4) Shall prepare and provide adequate freshly prepared food or meals to serve its stated members and guests;
(5) Shall not use third-party entities or individuals to purchase, sell, furnish, or serve alcoholic liquors, nonintoxicating beer, or nonintoxicating craft beer;
(6) Shall provide a floorplan for the proposed premises with a defined and bounded area to safely account for the ingress and egress of stated members and guests who will be at the Class A private club license and separately for the patrons at the Class B licensee;
(7) Uses an age verification system approved by the commissioner as set forth in §61-8-27 of this code.
(8) Only permits nonintoxicating beer and wine to be offered for sale for off-premises consumption from the separate area of the Class B license, except for licensees having obtained a growler license then growler sales are permitted under the growler requirements for either a Class A private club license or the Class B license.
(g) “Private fair and festival” means an applicant for private club or a licensed private club meeting the requirements of §60-7-8a of this code, for a temporary event, and the criteria set forth in this subsection which:
(1) Has at least 100 members;
(2) Has been sponsored, endorsed, or approved, in writing, by the governing body, or its duly elected or appointed officers, of either the municipality or of the county in which the festival, fair, or other event is to be conducted;
(3) Shall prepare, provide, or engage a food caterer to provide adequate freshly prepared food or meals to serve its stated members and guests who will be attending the temporary festival, fair, or other event, and further shall provide any documentation or agreements with the caterer to the commissioner prior to approval;
(4) Shall not use third-party entities or individuals to purchase, sell, furnish, or serve alcoholic liquors, nonintoxicating beer, or nonintoxicating craft beer;
(5) Shall provide adequate restroom facilities, whether permanent or portable, to serve the stated members and guests who will be attending the festival, fair, or other event;
(6) Shall provide a floorplan for the proposed premises with a defined and bounded area to safely account for the ingress and egress of stated members and guests who will be attending the festival, fair, or other event; and
(7) Uses an age verification system approved by the commissioner.
(h) “Private hotel” means an applicant for a private club or licensed private club licensee meeting the criteria set forth in this subsection which:
(1) Has at least 2,000 members;
(2) Offers short-term, daily-rate accommodations or lodging for members and their guests amounting to at least 30 separate bedrooms, and also offers a conference center with significant facility square footage for meetings;
(3) Operates a restaurant and full kitchen with ovens, four-burner ranges, walk-in freezers, and other kitchen utensils and apparatus as determined by the commissioner on the licensed premises, and serves freshly prepared food at least 20 hours per week;
(4) Maintains, at any one time, $2,500 of fresh food inventory capable of being prepared in the private hotel’s full kitchen. In calculating the food inventory, the commissioner may not include microwavable, frozen, or canned foods;
(5) Owns or leases, controls, operates, and uses acreage amounting to more than one acre but fewer than 10 acres, which are contiguous acres of bounded or fenced real property which would be listed on the licensees’ floorplan and would be used for hotel and conference center events and large contracted-for group-type events such as weddings, reunions, conferences, meetings, and sporting or recreational events;
(6) Lists the entire property from §60-7-2(h)(5) of this code and all adjoining buildings and structures on the private hotel’s floorplan which would comprise the licensed premises, and which would be authorized for the lawful sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic liquors throughout the licensed premises, whether these activities were conducted in a building, structure, or outdoors while on the private hotel’s licensed premises and as noted on the private hotel’s floorplan;
(7) Has an identified person, persons or entity that has right, title, and ownership or lease interest in the real property, buildings, and structures located on the proposed licensed premises; and,
(8) Uses an age verification system approved by the commissioner.
(f) (i) “Private resort hotel” means an applicant
for a private club or licensed private club licensee meeting the criteria set
forth in this subsection which:
(1) Has at least 5,000 members;
(2) Offers short-term, daily-rate accommodations or lodging for members and their guests amounting to at least 50 separate bedrooms;
(3) Operates a restaurant and full kitchen with ovens, six-burner ranges, walk-in freezers, and other kitchen utensils and apparatus as determined by the commissioner on the licensed premises and serves freshly prepared food at least 25 hours per week;
(4) Maintains, at any one
time, $5,000 of fresh food inventory capable of being prepared in the private
resort hotel’s full kitchen. and In calculating the food inventory the
commissioner may not include microwavable, frozen, or canned foods;
(5) Owns or leases, controls, operates, and uses acreage amounting to at least 10 contiguous acres of bounded or fenced real property which would be listed on the licensees’ floorplan and would be used for destination, resort, and large contracted-for group-type events such as weddings, reunions, conferences, meetings, and sporting or recreational events. The acreage may include resident brewer and brewpub operations licensed pursuant to §11-16-1 et seq. of this code.
(6) Lists the entire property from §60-7-2(i)(5) of this code and all adjoining buildings and structures on the private resort hotel’s floorplan which would comprise the licensed premises, which would be authorized for the lawful sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic liquors throughout the licensed premises, whether these activities were conducted in a building, structure, or outdoors while on the private resort hotel’s licensed premises and as noted on the private resort hotel’s floorplan;
(7) Has an identified person or persons or entity that has right, title, and ownership or lease interest in the real property buildings and structures located on the proposed licensed premises; and
(8) Utilizes Uses
an age verification system approved by the commissioner.
(g) (j) “Private golf club” means an applicant for
a private club or licensed private club licensee meeting the criteria set forth
in this subsection which:
(1) Has at least 1,000
100 members;
(2) Maintains at least one 18-hole golf course with separate and distinct golf playing holes, not reusing nine golf playing holes to comprise the 18 golf playing holes, a clubhouse, and offers golf carts, whether electric or gasoline;
(3) Operates a restaurant and full kitchen with ovens, as determined by the commissioner, on the licensed premises and serves freshly prepared food at least 15 hours per week;
(4) Owns or leases, controls, operates, and uses acreage amounting to at least 80 contiguous acres of bounded or fenced real property which would be listed on the private golf club’s floorplan and could be used for golfing events and large contracted-for group-type events such as weddings, reunions, conferences, meetings, and sporting or recreational events;
(5) Lists the entire property from §60-7-2(j)(4) of this code and all adjoining buildings and structures on the private golf club’s floorplan which would comprise the licensed premises, which would be authorized for the lawful sales, service, and consumption of alcoholic liquors throughout the licensed premises, whether these activities were conducted, in a building, structure, or outdoors while on the private golf club’s licensed premises and as noted on the private golf club’s floorplan;
(6) Has an identified person or persons or entity that has right, title, and ownership interest in the real property, buildings, and structures located on the proposed licensed premises; and
(7) Utilizes Uses
an age verification system approved by the commissioner.
The Department Division
of Natural Resources, the authority governing any county or municipal park, or
any county commission, municipality, other governmental entity, public
corporation, or public authority operating any park or airport may lease as
lessor a building or portion thereof or other limited premises in any such
park or airport to any corporation or unincorporated association for the
establishment of a private club pursuant to this article.
§60-7-3. Sale of alcoholic liquors and nonintoxicating beer by licensee authorized.
Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this code to the contrary, licensees are hereby authorized to
may sell and serve alcoholic liquors by the drink, other
than in sealed packages, which includes no bottle sales to patrons, for
consumption on the premises of the licensees, to their members and their guests
in accordance with the provisions of this article, the rules, and as
authorized in §60-6-8 of this code. The licensees may keep and maintain on
their premises a supply of those alcoholic liquors in such quantities as
may be appropriate for the conduct of their operations thereof.
§60-7-4. Application for license; information required; verification; application to be accompanied by fees; bond; college fraternities and sororities ineligible for license; racial discrimination by applicants prohibited.
(a) Application for a
license to operate a private club shall be made on such a form as
may be prescribed by the commissioner and shall include:
(1) The name of the applicant;
(2) If the applicant is an unincorporated association, the names and addresses of the members of its governing board;
(3) If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of its officers and directors;
(4) The place at which the
applicant will conduct its operations and whether the same place is
owned or leased by the applicant;
(5) The number of members of the applicant;
(6) The name or names of
any national organizations with which applicant is affiliated and the nature of
such the affiliation;
(7) The size and nature of the dining and kitchen facilities operated by applicant; and
(8) Such Any other
information as required by the commissioner may reasonably
require which shall include, but not be limited to, the criminal records,
if any, of each member of the applicant’s governing board and/or its officers
and directors who have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral
turpitude, and the true ownership information of the applicant and whether
the applicant has made any false statements or material misrepresentations,
involves hidden ownership, or involves persons with an undisclosed pecuniary
interest.
(b) The application shall
be verified by each member of the governing board of the applicant if an
unincorporated association or, if the applicant is a corporation, by each of
its officers and all members of its board of directors. The application shall be
accompanied by the license fee hereinafter prescribed in §60-7-6 of
this code, and by a bond of the applicant in the penal sum of $5,000 with a
corporate surety authorized to transact business in the State of West Virginia,
payable to the State of West Virginia, which bond shall be conditioned on the
payment of all fees herein prescribed in this article and on the
faithful performance of and compliance with the provisions of this article.
(c) Under no circumstance may any college fraternity or sorority be issued a license to operate a private club.
(d) No A license
to operate a private club will not be issued to applicants who
discriminate against any person or group of persons because of race or color of
such person or group of persons.
§60-7-5. Investigation by commissioner; issuance or refusal of license; special requirements for clubs at parks and airports; form of license; license valid at one location only; expiration and renewal; transferability.
(a) Upon receipt of the
a completed application referred to in §60-7-4 of this code, together with the accompanying
fee and bond, the commissioner shall conduct an investigation to determine the
accuracy of the matters contained in such the completed
application and whether applicant is a bona fide private club of good
reputation in the community in which it shall operate operates.
For the purpose of conducting such the investigation, the
commissioner may withhold the granting or refusal to grant such the
license for a period not to exceed 30 days or until the applicant has
completed the conditions set forth in §60-7-4(a) of this code. If it shall
appear appears that such the applicant is a bona fide
private club, of good reputation in the community in which it shall operate
operates and that there is no false statement, no material
misrepresentations, no hidden ownership, no persons with an undisclosed
pecuniary interest contained in such the application, along
with no other omissions or failures by the applicant to complete the
application, as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner shall
issue a license authorizing the applicant to sell alcoholic liquors as provided
in §60-7-3 of this code, and otherwise shall refuse to issue such the
license, except that in the case of an application by a corporation or
association to operate a private club in connection with:
(1) A state park, the
Director of the Department Division of Natural Resources must
grant his or her approval before the license can be issued; or
(2) A county or municipal park, or an airport, the authority governing the park or airport must grant its approval before the license can be issued.
A license may not be issued
for a private club in any state park unless a dining facility comparable to the
dining facility for the proposed private club will be is available
to serve meals to the general public. A license may not be issued for a private
club in any county or municipal park, or an airport, unless a dining facility
comparable to the dining facility for the proposed private club will be is
available to serve meals to the general public.
(b) Upon refusal to issue such
a license, the commissioner shall make and enter an order denying such
the application, which denial and refusal shall be is final
unless a hearing is requested in accordance with the provisions of §60-7-13 of this
code. When such the refusal or denial becomes final the
commissioner shall forthwith immediately refund to the applicant
his or her fees and bond accompanying the application.
(c) Such The license
shall be of such in a form and design as prescribed by
the commissioner may prescribe by reasonable rule or regulation,
and shall authorize the licensee to sell alcoholic liquors at only one
location.
(d) Such The license
shall expire expires on June 30 next following the date of issue
and may be renewed upon the same showing as required meeting the
requirements for the issuance of the initial license, together with the
payment of fees and filing of the bond as required by this article.
(e) A license issued under the provisions of this article may
not be is not transferable.
§60-7-6. Annual license fee; partial fee.
(a) The annual license fee for a license issued under the
provisions of this article to a fraternal or veterans organization or a
nonprofit social club shall be is $750.
(b) The annual license fee for a license issued under the
provisions of this article to a private club other than a private club of the
type specified in §60-7-6(a) of this code shall be is $1,000, if
the private club has less than 1,000 members, $2,500, if the private club has
1,000 or more members, or if the private club is a private club and
carryout, $4,000, if the private club is a private golf club as defined in §60-7-2
of this code. and further If the private club is a private hotel or
private resort hotel as defined in section two of this article, said the
private hotel or private resort hotel may designate areas within the
licensed premises for the lawful sale, service, and consumption of alcoholic
liquors as provided for by this article. The annual license fee for private
hotel with a maximum of three or fewer designated areas only is $4,000. The
annual license fee for a private resort hotel with five or fewer designated
areas shall be is $7,500, and the annual license fee for a
private resort hotel with at least six but no more than 10 designated areas shall
be is $12,500. The annual license fee for a private resort hotel
with at least 11 but no more than 15 designated areas shall be is
$17,500. The annual license fee for a private resort hotel with no fewer than 15
nor more than 20 designated areas shall be is $22,500: Provided,
That a private resort hotel having obtained the license and paid the $22,500
annual license fee may, upon application to and approval of the commissioner,
designate additional areas for a period not to exceed seven days for an
additional fee of $150 per day, per designated area.
(c) The fee for any such license issued following
January 1 of any year and to expire expiring on June 30 of such
that year shall be one-half of the annual license fee prescribed by §60-7-6(a)
and §60-7-6(b) of this code.
(d) All such fees shall be paid by the commissioner
to the State Treasurer and credited to the General Revenue Fund of the state.
§60-7-8a. Special license for a private fair and festival; licensee fee and application; license fee; license subject to provisions of article; exception.
(1) The commissioner may issue a special one-day license to be designated a Class S2 license for the retail sale of alcoholic liquors (liquor and wine), nonintoxicating beer, and nonintoxicating craft beer, for on-premises consumption at a festival, fair, or other event, provided that, the festival, fair, or other event is sponsored, endorsed, or approved by the governing body, or its duly elected or appointed officers of either the municipality or the county in which the festival, fair, or other event is to be conducted. The special license is temporary and issued for a term no longer than 10 consecutive days, and the fee for the special license is $750. This fee shall be per each 10-day event application and shall not be prorated or refunded. No more than 10 licenses shall be issued to any single licensee during any calendar year. The license application shall contain any information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 15 days prior to the event. Nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating craft beer sold, furnished, or served for this temporary special license shall be purchased from a licensed distributor or resident brewer, acting in a limited capacity as a distributor, in accordance with §11-16-1 et seq. of this code, that services the territory where the festival, fair, or other event is occurring. Wine sold, furnished, or served for the temporary special license shall be purchased from a licensed distributor, winery, or farm winery in accordance with §60-8-1 et seq. of this code. Liquor sold, furnished, or served for the temporary special license shall be purchased from a licensed retail liquor outlet, in accordance with §60-3A-1 et seq. of this code, located in the market zone or contiguous market zone where the festival, fair, or other event is occurring, as determined by the commissioner. Licensed beer distributors representatives, brewer representatives, resident brewer representatives, wine distributor representatives, winery and farm winery representatives, and liquor representatives may attend the festival, fair, or other event and discuss their respective products, but shall not engage in the purchasing, selling, furnishing, or serving of the nonintoxicating beer, nonintoxicating craft beer, wine, or liquor. A licensee licensed by this section may use bona fide employees or volunteers. Third party entities or individuals who are not listed on the Class S2 license may not perform any duties or functions of the licensee.
(2) A license issued under the provisions of this section and the licensee holding the license are subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order allow certain waivers or exceptions with respect to those provisions, rules, or orders as the circumstances of each event requires, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend immediately any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing, notwithstanding the provisions of §60-7-13a of this code: Provided, however, That under no circumstances may the provisions of §60-7-12 of this code, be waived or an exception granted with respect to those provisions.
§60-7-12. Certain acts of licensee prohibited; criminal penalties.
(a) It is unlawful for any
licensee, or agent, employee or member thereof, on such the
licensee’s premises to:
(1) Sell, or
offer for sale, or serve any alcoholic liquors other than from the
original package, or container, or by the drink, except as authorized in §60-6-8 of this code;
(2) Authorize or permit any disturbance of the peace; obscene, lewd, immoral, or improper entertainment, conduct or practice, gambling or any slot machine, multiple coin console machine, multiple coin console slot machine, or device in the nature of a slot machine;
(3) Sell, give away, or permit the sale of, gift to, or the procurement of, any nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors for or to, or permit the consumption of, nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors on the licensee’s premises, by any person less than 21 years of age;
(4) Sell,
give away, or permit the sale of, gift to, or the procurement of, any
nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors, for or to any person known to
be deemed determined legally incompetent, or for or to any person
who is physically incapacitated due to consumption of nonintoxicating beer,
wine, or alcoholic liquor or the use of drugs;
(5) Sell,
give, or dispense nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors in or on any
licensed premises or in any rooms directly connected therewith, between the
hours of 3:00 a. m. and 1:00 p. m., or, between the hours of 3:00 a. m. and
10:00 a. m. in any county upon approval as provided for in §7-1-3pp of this
code, on any Sunday;
(6) Permit the consumption by, or serve to, on the licensed premises any nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors, covered by this article, to any person who is less than 21 years of age;
(7) With the intent to defraud, alter, change, or misrepresent the quality, quantity, or brand name of any alcoholic liquor;
(8) Sell,
or offer for sale, any alcoholic liquor to any person who is not a duly-elected
or approved dues-paying member in good standing of said the private
club or a guest of such the member;
(9) Sell, offer for sale, give away, facilitate the use of, or allow the use of, carbon dioxide, cyclopropane, ethylene, helium, or nitrous oxide for purposes of human consumption except as authorized by the commissioner;
(10) (A)
Employ any person who is less than 18 years of age in a position where the
primary responsibility for such the employment is to sell,
furnish, serve, or give nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors
to any person;
(B) Employ
any person who is between the ages of 18 and 21 who is not directly supervised
by a person aged 21 or over in a position where the primary responsibility for such
the employment is to sell, furnish, serve, or give
nonintoxicating beer, wine, or alcoholic liquors to any person; or
(11) Violate any reasonable rule of the commissioner.
(b) It is
unlawful for any licensee to advertise in any news media or other means,
outside of the licensee’s premises, the fact that alcoholic liquors may be
purchased thereat on the premises.
(c) Any person who violates
any of the foregoing provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction
thereof, shall be fined not less than $500 nor more than $1,000, or imprisoned
in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year, or both fined
and imprisoned.
§60-7-13. Revocation or suspension of license; monetary penalty; hearing; assessment of costs; establishment of enforcement fund.
(a) Upon a determination by the commissioner that a
licensee has: (i) Violated the provisions of §11-16-1 et seq.
of this code, or of this chapter; (ii)
acted in such a way as that would have precluded initial
or renewal licensure; or (iii) violated any rule or order promulgated by the commissioner,
the commissioner may impose any one or a combination of the following
sanctions:
(1) Revoke the licensee’s license;
(2) Suspend the licensee’s license;
(3) Place the licensee on probationary status for a period not to exceed 12 months; and
(4) Impose a monetary penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation where revocation is not imposed.
(b) Any monetary penalty assessed and collected by the
commissioner shall be transmitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the
State Treasury to the credit of a special revenue fund designated the Alcohol
Beverage Control Enforcement Fund, which is hereby created continued.
All moneys collected, received, and deposited in the Alcohol Beverage Control
Enforcement Fund shall be kept and maintained for expenditures by the
commissioner for the purpose of enforcement of the statutes and rules
pertaining to alcoholic liquor, and shall not be treated by the State Treasurer
or State Auditor as any part of the general revenue of the state. At the end of
each fiscal year all funds in the Alcohol Beverage Control Enforcement Fund in
excess of $20,000 shall be transferred to the General Revenue Fund.
(c) In addition to the grounds for revocation,
suspension, or other sanction of a license set forth in §60-7-13(a) of this code,
conviction of the licensee of any offense constituting a violation of the laws
of this state or of the United States relating to alcoholic liquor,
nonintoxicating beer, or gambling shall be mandatory grounds for such
sanctioning of a license. Conviction of the licensee of any violation of the
laws of this state or of the United States relating to prostitution, or the
sale, possession, or distribution of narcotics or controlled substances, shall
be is mandatory grounds for revocation of the licensee’s license for
a period of at least one year.
(d) A licensee shall notify, in a timely manner, emergency medical services or law enforcement if a life-threatening medical emergency occurs on the licensee’s licensed premises. In addition to the grounds for revocation, suspension, or other sanction of a license set forth in this section, the commissioner may revoke, suspend, or otherwise sanction a licensee for failing to comply with the provisions of this subsection.
(e) If a life-threatening medical emergency occurs on a licensee’s licensed premises requiring notification of emergency medical services or law enforcement under §60-7-13(d) of this code, the licensee shall notify the commissioner within 48 hours of the emergency’s occurrence. The commissioner may revoke, suspend, or otherwise sanction a licensee for failing to comply with the 48-hour notification requirement.
(f) As used in this section, a life-threatening medical emergency includes, but is not limited to, respiratory distress or cessation of breathing, severe chest pains, shock, uncontrolled bleeding, poisoning, prolonged unconsciousness, overdose, any complaint or observation which indicates significant head or spinal injury, and life-threatening physical injury caused by a crime of violence against a person occupying or emanating from the licensee’s licensed premises.
(g) The commissioner may promulgate emergency rules and shall propose legislative rules for promulgation pursuant to §29A-3A-1 et seq. of this code, to effectuate the amendments made to this section during the 2018 regular session of the Legislature.
ARTICLE 8. SALE OF WINES.
§60-8-3. Licenses; fees; general restrictions.
(a) No A person
may not engage in business in the capacity of a winery, farm winery,
supplier, distributor, retailer, private wine bed and breakfast, private wine
restaurant, private wine spa, or wine specialty shop without first obtaining a
license from the commissioner, nor shall a person continue to engage in any
activity after his or her license has expired, been suspended or revoked. No
A person may not be licensed simultaneously as a distributor and
a retailer. No A person, except for a winery or farm winery, may not
be licensed simultaneously as a supplier and a retailer. No A person
may not be licensed simultaneously as a supplier and a private wine bed
and breakfast, private wine restaurant, or a private wine spa. No A
person may not be licensed simultaneously as a distributor and a private
wine bed and breakfast, a private wine restaurant, or a private wine spa. No
A person may not be licensed simultaneously as a retailer and a
private wine bed and breakfast, a private wine restaurant, or a private wine
spa.
(b) The commissioner shall collect an annual fee for licenses issued under this article as follows:
(1) $150 per year for a supplier’s license;
(2) $2,500 per year for a
distributor’s license and each separate warehouse or other facility from which
a distributor sells, transfers, or delivers wine shall be separately licensed
and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license
fee of $2,500 as herein provided in this section;
(3) $150 per year for a retailer’s license;
(4) $250 per year for a wine specialty shop license, in addition to any other licensing fees paid by a winery or retailer holding a license, except for the amount of the license fee and the restriction to sales of winery or farm winery wines, a winery, or farm winery acting as a wine specialty shop retailer is subject to all other provisions of this article which are applicable to a wine specialty shop retailer as defined in §60-8-2 of this code;
(5) $150 per year for a wine tasting license;
(6) $150 per year for a
private wine bed and breakfast license and each separate bed and breakfast from
which a licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be
collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $150 as herein
provided in this section;
(7) $250 per year for a
private wine restaurant license and each separate restaurant from which a
licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected
with respect to each location the annual license fee of $250 as herein
provided in this section;
(8) $150 per year for a
private wine spa license and each separate private wine spa from which a
licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected
with respect to each location the annual license fee of $150 as herein
provided in this section;
(9) $150 per year for a wine sampling license issued for a wine specialty shop under subsection (n) of this section;
(10) No fee shall be charged for a special one-day license under §60-8-3(p) of this code or for a heritage fair and festival license under §60-8-3(q) of this code;
(11) $150 per year for a direct shipper’s license for a licensee who sells and ships only wine and $250 per for a direct shipper’s license who ships and sells wine, nonfortified dessert wine, port, sherry, or Madeira wines; and
(12) $300 per year for a multi-capacity winery or farm winery license which shall enable the holder to operate as a retailer, wine specialty shop, supplier and direct shipper without obtaining an individual license for each capacity.
(c) The license period shall
begin begins on July 1 of each year and end ends on
June 30 of the following year and, if granted for a less period, the same
license shall be computed semiannually in proportion to the remainder of
the fiscal year.
(d) No A retailer
may not be licensed as a private club as provided by §60-7-1 et
seq. of this code, except as provided by §60-8-3(k) of this code.
(e) No A retailer
may not be licensed as a Class A retail dealer in nonintoxicating beer
as provided by §11-16-1 et seq. of this code: Provided, That a
delicatessen, a caterer or party supply store which is a grocery store as
defined in §60-8-2 of this code, and which is licensed as a Class A retail
dealer in nonintoxicating beer may be a retailer under this article:
Provided, however, That any delicatessen, caterer, or party supply store
licensed in both capacities must maintain average monthly sales exclusive of
sales of wine and nonintoxicating beer which exceed the average monthly sales
of nonintoxicating beer.
(f) A wine specialty shop
under this article may also hold a wine tasting license authorizing the
retailer to serve complimentary samples of wine in moderate quantities for
tasting. Such The wine specialty shop shall organize a wine
taster’s club, which has at least 50 duly elected or approved dues-paying
members in good standing. Such The club shall meet on the wine
specialty shop’s premises not more than one time per week and shall either meet
at a time when the premises are closed to the general public, or shall meet in
a separate segregated facility on the premises to which the general public is
not admitted. Attendance at tastings shall be limited to duly elected or
approved dues-paying members and their guests.
(g) A retailer who has more than one place of retail business shall obtain a license for each separate retail establishment. A retailer’s license may be issued only to the proprietor or owner of a bona fide grocery store or wine specialty shop.
(h)(A) The
commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine at
any festival or fair which is endorsed or sponsored by the governing body of a
municipality or a county commission. Such
special The license shall be
issued for a term of no longer than 10 consecutive days and the fee therefor shall
be is $250 regardless of the term of the license unless the
applicant is the manufacturer of said wine on a winery or a farm winery as
defined in section five-a, article one of this chapter, in which event the fee
shall be $50 if the event is held on the premises of the winery or farm winery.
The application for the license shall
contain information as required by the commissioner may
reasonably require and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 30
days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold at the festival or fair.
(B) Notwithstanding §60-8-3(h)(A) of this code, if the applicant for the festival or fair license is the manufacturer of a wine, a winery, or a farm winery, as defined in §60-1-5a of this code, and the event is located on the premises of a winery or a farm winery then the license fee is $50.
(C) A licensed winery or a farm winery, licensed
under this subsection who has the festival or fair licensee’s written
authorization and approval from the commissioner, may, in addition to, or
in conjunction with, the festival and fair licensee, exhibit, conduct complimentary
tastings, or sell samples not to exceed a reasonable serving of three, one-fluid
ounce, and may sell wine samples tastings or samples per patron,
for consumption on the premises during the operation of a festival or fair only;
and may sell wine for off-premises consumption: Provided, That for
licensed wineries or farm wineries at a licensed festival or fair the tastings,
samples and off-premises sales shall occur under the hours of operation as
required in this article, except that on Sunday, tastings,
samples, and off-premises sales are unlawful between the hours of 2:00 a. m.
and 10:00 a. m.
(D) A special festival or fair license for
a license fee of $250 may be issued other than to a winery or a farm
winery, but may be issued to a “wine club” as defined herein below
in this subdivision. The festival or fair committee or the governing
body shall designate a person to organize a club under a name which includes
the name of the festival or fair and the words “wine club”. The license shall
be issued in the name of the wine club. A licensee may not commence the sale of
wine as provided in this subsection until the wine club has at least 50
dues-paying members who have been enrolled, and to whom membership cards have
been issued. Thereafter, new members may be enrolled and issued membership
cards at any time during the period for which the license is issued. A wine
club licensed under the provisions of this subsection may sell wine only to its
members, and in portions not to exceed eight ounces per serving. The sales
shall take place on premises or in an area cordoned or segregated so as to be
closed to the general public, and the general public shall not be admitted to
the premises or area. A wine club licensee under the provisions of this
subsection shall be authorized to may serve complimentary samples
of wine in moderate quantities for tasting. A wine club may not make wine
purchases from a direct shipper where the wine may be consumed on the licensed
premises of any Class A private wine retail license or private club, and
further is subject to the penalties in this article.
(E) A license licensed winery or farm winery
approved to attend a festival or fair license issued under the provisions
of this subsection section and the licensee holding the license, or
the licensed winery or farm winery approved to attend a licensed festival or
fair, shall be is subject to all other provisions of this
article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special
license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule regulation,
or order, provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the
provisions, rules regulations or orders as the circumstances of each
festival or fair may require, including, without limitation, the right to
revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any
notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this
code: Provided, however, That under no circumstances shall the
provisions of §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code, be waived nor shall any
exception be granted with respect thereto to those provisions.
(F) A license issued under the provisions of this subsection
section and the licensee holding the license is not subject to the
provisions of §60-8-3(g) of this code.
(i) (A) The commissioner
may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a professional
baseball stadium. A license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection
entitles the licensee to sell and serve wine, for consumption in a professional
baseball stadium. For the purpose of this subsection, “professional baseball
stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for the use of a major or minor
league baseball franchisee affiliated with the National Association of
Professional Baseball Leagues, Inc., or its successor, and used as a major or
minor league baseball park. Any special license issued pursuant to this
subsection shall be for a term beginning on the date of issuance and ending on
the next following June 30, and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the
term of the license. The application for the special license shall contain
information as required by the commissioner may reasonably
require and must be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to
the first day when wine is to be sold at the professional baseball stadium. The
special license may be issued in the name of the baseball franchisee or the
name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract with the baseball
franchisee. These sales must take place within the confines of the professional
baseball stadium: Provided, That the exterior of the area where wine
sales may occur are is surrounded by a fence or other barrier
prohibiting entry except upon the franchisee’s express permission, and under
the conditions and restrictions established by the franchisee, so that the wine
sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.
(B) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee holding the license is subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders as the circumstances of each professional baseball stadium may require, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code: Provided, however, That under no circumstances may §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code, be waived nor shall any exception be granted concerning §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code.
(C) The commissioner has
the authority to may propose rules for legislative approval in
accordance with §29a-3-1 et seq. of this code, to implement this
subsection.
(j) A license to sell wine
granted to a private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private
wine spa, or a private club under the provisions of this article entitles the
operator to sell and serve wine, for consumption on the premises of the
licensee, when the sale accompanies the serving of food or a meal to its
members and their guests in accordance with the provisions of this article:
Provided, That a licensed private wine bed and breakfast, private wine
restaurant, private wine spa, or a private club may permit a person over 21
years of age to purchase wine, consume wine and recork or reseal, using a
tamper resistant cork or seal, up to two separate bottles of unconsumed wine in
conjunction with serving of food or a meal to its members and their guests in
accordance with the provisions of this article and in accordance with regulations
rules promulgated by the commissioner for the purpose of consumption of said
the wine off premises: Provided, however, That for this article,
food or a meal provided by the private licensee means that the total food
purchase, excluding beverage purchases, taxes, gratuity, or other fees is at
least $15: Provided further, That a licensed private wine restaurant or
a private club may offer for sale for consumption off the premises, sealed
bottles of wine to its customers, provided that no more than one bottle is sold
per each person over 21 years of age, as verified by the private wine
restaurant or private club, for consumption off the premises. Such The
licensees are authorized to may keep and maintain on their
premises a supply of wine in quantities as may be appropriate for the
conduct of their operations thereof. Any sale of wine so made
shall be is subject to all restrictions set forth in §60-8-20 of
this code. A private wine restaurant may also be licensed as a Class A retail
dealer in nonintoxicating beer as provided by §11-16-1 et seq. of this
code.
(k) With respect to §60-8-3(h),
§60-8-3(i), §60-8-3(j), §60-8-3(o), and §60-8-3(p) of this code, the commissioner
shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the
provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, with regard to the form of
the applications, the suitability of both the applicant and location of the
licensed premises, and other legislative rules deemed considered necessary
to carry the provisions of the subsections into effect.
(l) The commissioner shall
propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the
provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code, to allow
restaurants to serve wine with meals, and to sell wine by the bottle for
off-premises consumption as provided in §60-8-3(j) of this code. Each licensed
restaurant so licensed shall be charged an additional $100 per year fee.
(m) The commissioner shall establish guidelines to permit wines to be sold in all stores licensed for retail sales.
(n) Wineries and farm wineries may advertise off premises as provided in §17-22-7 of this code.
(o) A wine specialty shop under this article may also hold a wine sampling license authorizing the wine specialty shop to conduct special wine sampling events at a licensed wine specialty shop location during regular hours of business. The wine specialty shop may serve up to three complimentary samples of wine, consisting of no more than one-fluid ounce each, to any one consumer in one day. Persons serving the complimentary samples must be 21 years of age and an authorized representative of the licensed wine specialty shop, winery, farm winery, or a representative of a distributor or registered supplier. Distributor and supplier representatives attending wine sampling events must be registered with the commissioner. No licensee, employee, or representative may furnish, give, sell, or serve complimentary samples of wine to any person less than 21 years of age or to a person who is physically incapacitated due to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the use of drugs. The wine specialty shop shall notify and secure permission from the commissioner for all wine sampling events one month prior to the event. Wine sampling events may not exceed six hours per calendar day. Licensees must purchase all wines used during these events from a licensed farm winery or a licensed distributor.
(p) The commissioner may
issue special one-day licenses to duly organized, nonprofit corporations and
associations allowing the sale and serving of wine, and may, if applicable,
also allow the charitable auctioning of certain sealed bottles of wine for
off-premises consumption only, when raising money for athletic, charitable,
educational or religious purposes. Auction or auctioning, for this
subsection, means any silent, physical act or verbal bid auction, but shall not
include any action in violation of §47-20-10, §47-20-11, or §61-10-1 et seq.
of this code. The license application shall contain information as required
by the commissioner may reasonably require and shall be submitted to
the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the event. Wines used during these
events may be donated by or purchased from a licensed retailer, a distributor
or a farm winery. A licensed farm
winery that: is authorized in writing by a representative of the duly-organized,
nonprofit corporation and association which has obtained the one-day license;
is in good standing with the state; and obtains the commissioner’s approval
prior to the one-day license event, may, in conjunction with the one-day
licensee, exhibit, conduct complimentary tastings or sell samples not to exceed
a reasonable serving of three, one-fluid ounce, tastings or samples per patron,
for consumption on the premises during the operation of the one-day license
event; and may sell certain sealed wine bottles manufactured by the licensed
farm winery for off-premises consumption: Provided, That for a licensed
farm winery at a licensed one-day event the tastings, samples and off-premises
sales shall occur under the hours of operation as required in this article,
except on Sunday, tastings, samples and off-premises sales are unlawful between
the hours of 2:00 a. m. and 10:00 a. m., from the one-day licensee’s submitted
floor plan for the event subject to the requirements in the code and rules. Under no circumstances may the provision provisions
of §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(f) of this code, be waived nor may any
exception be granted with respect thereto to those provisions.
(q) The commissioner may
issue special licenses to heritage fairs and festivals allowing the sale,
serving, and sampling of wine from a licensed farm winery. The license application
shall contain information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted
to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the event. Wines used during
these events may be donated by or purchased from a licensed farm winery. Under
no circumstances may the provision provisions of §60-8-20(c) of
this code, be waived nor may any exception be granted with respect thereto
to those provisions. The commissioner shall propose rules for
legislative approval in accordance with §29A-3-9a of this code, to implement
the provisions of this subsection.
(r)(1) The commissioner may
issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a college stadium. A
license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection entitles the licensee
to sell and serve wine for consumption in a college stadium. For the purpose of
this subsection, “college stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for
the use of a Division I, II, or III college that is a member of the
National Collegiate Athletic Association, or its successor, and used as a
football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or other Division I, II, or III
sports stadium. A special license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be
for a term beginning on the date of its issuance and ending on the next
following June 30, and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the term of
the license. The application for the special license shall contain information as
required by the commissioner may reasonably require and must be
submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the first day when wine
is to be sold. The special license may be issued in the name of the National
Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, or III college or
university or the name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract
with that college or university. These sales must take place within the
confines of the college stadium: Provided, That the exterior of
the area where wine sales may occur are surrounded by a fence or other barrier
prohibiting entry except upon the college or university’s express permission,
and under the conditions and restrictions established by the college or
university, so that the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted
entry by the general public.
(2) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee are subject to the other requirements of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license: Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders as the circumstances of each the college stadium may require, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or immediately suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code: Provided, however, That §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20 (d) of this code, may not be waived, nor shall any exception be granted concerning those subsections.
(3) The commissioner may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with §29a-3-1 et seq. of this code, to implement this subsection.
§60-8-20. Unlawful acts generally.
It shall be is
unlawful:
(a) For a supplier or distributor to sell or deliver wine purchased or acquired from any source other than a person registered under the provisions §60-8-6 of this code, or for a retailer to sell or deliver wine purchased or acquired from any source other than a licensed distributor or a farm winery as defined in §60-1-5a of this code;
(b) Unless otherwise
specifically provided by the provisions of this article, for a licensee under
this article to acquire, transport, possess for sale, or sell, or
serve wine other than in the original package and by the drink, except
as authorized in §60-6-8 of this code;
(c) For a licensee, his or
her servants, agents, or employees to sell, furnish, or give wine to any person
less than 21 years of age, or to a mental incompetent or person who is
physically incapacitated due to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the use
of drugs: Provided, That the provisions §60-3A-25a of this code, shall
apply to sales of wine;
(d) For a licensee to permit a person who is less than 18 years of age to sell, furnish, serve, or give wine to any person;
(e) For a supplier or a
distributor to sell or deliver any brand of wine purchased or acquired from any
source other than the primary source of supply of the wine which granted the
distributor the right to sell the brand at wholesale. For the purposes of this
article, “primary source of supply” means the vintner of the wine, the importer
of a foreign wine who imports the wine into the United States, the owner of a
wine at the time it becomes a marketable product, the bottler of a wine or an
agent specifically authorized by any of the above-enumerated persons to make a
sale of the wine to a West Virginia distributor: Provided, That no
a retailer shall not sell or deliver wine purchased or acquired
from any source other than a distributor or farm winery licensed in this state:
Provided, however, That nothing herein in this subsection is
considered to prohibit sales of convenience between distributors licensed in
this state wherein in which one distributor sells, transfers or
delivers to another distributor a particular brand or brands for sale at
wholesale, of which brand or brands the other distributor has been authorized
by a licensed supplier to distribute. The commissioner shall promulgate propose
legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-1-1 et seq.
of this code, necessary to carry out the provision of this subsection;
(f) For a person to violate any reasonable rule promulgated by the commissioner under this article;
(g) Nothing in this
article, nor any rule or regulation of the commissioner, shall prevent
or be considered to prohibit any licensee from employing any person who is at
least 18 years of age to serve in any licensee’s lawful employment, including
the sale, service, or delivery of wine under the provisions of this
article. With the prior approval of the commissioner, a licensee whose
principal business is the sale of food or consumer goods or the providing of
recreational activities, including, but not limited to, nationally franchised
fast food outlets, family-oriented restaurants, bowling alleys, drug stores,
discount stores, grocery stores and convenience stores, may employ persons who
are less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age: Provided,
That the person’s duties may not include the sale or delivery of
nonintoxicating beer or alcoholic liquors: Provided, however, That the
authorization to employ persons under the age of 18 years shall be clearly
indicated on the licensee’s license.
§60-8-34. When retail sales prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for a
retailer, farm winery, wine specialty shop retailer, private wine bed and
breakfast, private wine restaurant or private wine spa licensee, his or her
servants, agents or employees to sell or deliver wine between the hours of 2:00
a. m. and 1:00 p. m., or, it shall be unlawful for a winery, farm winery, private
wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant or private wine spa, his or her
servants, agents or employees to sell wine between the hours of 2:00 a. m. and
10:00 a. m. in any county upon approval as provided for in section three-pp,
article one, chapter seven of this code, on Sundays, or between the hours
of 2:00 a. m. and 7:00 a. m. on weekdays and Saturdays.
CHAPTER 61. CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT.
ARTICLE 8. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, AND DECENCY.
§61-8-27. Unlawful admission of children to dance house, etc.; penalty.
Any proprietor or any
person in charge of a dance house, concert saloon, theater, museum, or similar
place of amusement, or other place, where wines or spirituous or malt liquors
are sold or given away, or any place of entertainment injurious to health or
morals who admits or permits to remain therein on the premises any
minor under the age of 18 years, unless accompanied by his or her parent or
guardian, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall be
punished by a fine not exceeding $200: Provided, That there is exemption
from this prohibition for: (1) a private club and carryout, private hotel, private
resort hotel, and private golf club licensed pursuant to §60-7-1 et
seq. of this code, and in compliance with subdivision (8), subsection
(f), section two of said article §60-7-2 of this code; (2) a private
club with more than 1,000 members that is in good standing with the Alcohol
Beverage Control Commissioner, that has been approved by the Alcohol Beverage
Control Commissioner and which has designated certain seating areas on its
licensed premises as nonalcoholic liquor and nonintoxicating beer areas, as
noted in the licensee’s floorplan; or (3) a private club and carryout or private
fair and festival that is in compliance with §60-7-2 of this code, by using a
mandatory carding or identification program by which all members or guests
being served or sold alcoholic liquors, nonintoxicating beer, or
nonintoxicating craft beer, are asked for and must provide their proper
identification to verify their identity and, further that they are of legal
drinking age, 21 years of age or older, prior to each sale or service of
alcoholic liquors, nonintoxicating beer, or nonintoxicating craft beer.