MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Robertson

Senate Bill 2370

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 67-1-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THAT PERSONS APPOINTED DIRECTOR, AGENT OR INSPECTOR FOR THE STATE TAX COMMISSION UNDER THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTROL LAW MUST HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FOR THE FIVE SUCCESSIVE YEARS PRECEDING THE DATE OF THEIR APPOINTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES A MANAGER OR EMPLOYEE OF A LICENSED PREMISES UNDER THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAWS TO BE A RESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI IF HE IS ALSO AN OFFICER, DIRECTOR OR SHAREHOLDER IN A CORPORATION THAT IS THE HOLDER OF THE PERMIT FOR THE LICENSED PREMISES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-1-37, 67-3-31, 67-3-37 AND 67-3-74, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND UNTIL JULY 1, 2011, THE REPEAL DATE ON THE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW THE ENFORCEMENT AGENTS OF THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL DIVISION OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSION TO ENFORCE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAWS AND TO AUTHORIZE SUCH AGENTS TO ENFORCE PROVISIONS OF THE LIGHT WINE AND BEER LAW THAT PROHIBIT RETAILERS FROM POSSESSING OR SELLING LIGHT WINE OR BEER BEFORE THEY HAVE SECURED A PERMIT OR DURING THE TIME THEIR PERMIT IS REVOKED OR SUSPENDED; TO FURTHER AMEND SECTION 67-1-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SALE OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON THE CAMPUS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGES, COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES, AND THE PROHIBITION AGAINST THE SALE OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT ANY PUBLIC ATHLETIC EVENT AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY OR JUNIOR COLLEGES, COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-71-5, 27-71-301, 27-71-303 AND 67-1-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LIGHT WINE AND BEER FROM MOBILE CARTS ON A GOLF COURSE IF THE GOLF COURSE IS THE HOLDER OF AN ON-PREMISES RETAILER'S PERMIT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 67-1-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     67-1-25.  No person shall be appointed director, agent or inspector for the commission under this chapter who is not a citizen of the United States * * *.  No director, agent, inspector or other employee shall be appointed under this chapter who has been convicted of any violation of any federal or state law concerning the manufacture, sale or possession of alcoholic liquor prior or subsequent to July 1, 1966, or who has paid a fine or penalty in settlement of any prosecution against him for any violation of such laws or shall have forfeited his bond to appear in court to answer charges for any such violation, nor shall any person be so appointed who has been convicted of a felony in any state or federal court.  No person appointed or employed by the commission under this chapter may, directly or indirectly, individually or as a member of a partnership or limited liability company, or as a shareholder of a corporation, have any interest whatsoever in the manufacture, sale or distribution of alcoholic liquor, or receive any compensation or profit therefrom, or have any interest whatsoever in the purchases or sales made by the persons authorized by this chapter to purchase or to sell alcoholic liquor.

     This section shall not prevent any person appointed or employed by the commission from purchasing and keeping in his possession for the use of himself or members of his family or guests any alcoholic liquor which may be purchased or kept by any other person by virtue of this chapter.

     SECTION 2.  Section 67-3-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     67-3-19.  Where application is made for a permit to engage in the business of a retailer of light wine or beer, the applicant shall show in his application that he possesses the following qualifications:

          (a)  Applicant must be a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age, of good moral character and a resident of the State of Mississippi.

          (b)  Applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony, or of pandering or of keeping or maintaining a house of prostitution, or have been convicted within two (2) years of the date of his application of any violation of the laws of this state or the laws of the United States relating to alcoholic liquor.

          (c)  Applicant shall not have had revoked, except for a violation of Section 67-3-52, within two (2) years next preceding his application, any license or permit issued to him pursuant to the laws of this state, or any other state, to sell alcoholic liquor of any kind.

          (d)  Applicant shall be the owner of the premises for which the permit is sought or the holder of an existing lease thereon.

          (e)  Applicant shall not be residentially domiciled with any person whose permit has been revoked for cause, except for a violation of Section 67-3-52, within two (2) years next preceding the date of the present application for a permit.

          (f)  The applicant has not had any license or permit to sell beer or light wine at retail revoked, within five (5) years next preceding his application, due to a violation of Section 67-3-52.

          (g)  Applicant shall not employ any person whose permit has been revoked when such person owned or operated the business on the premises for which a permit is sought or allow such person to have any financial interest in the business of the applicant, until such person is qualified to obtain a permit in his own name.

          (h)  The applicant is not indebted to the State of Mississippi for any taxes.

          (i)  If applicant is a partnership, all members of the partnership must be qualified to obtain a permit.  Each member of the partnership must be a resident of the State of Mississippi.

          (j)  If applicant is a corporation, all officers and directors thereof, and any stockholder owning more than five percent (5%) of the stock of such corporation, and the person or persons who shall conduct and manage the licensed premises for the corporation shall possess all the qualifications required herein for any individual permittee.  However, the requirements as to residence shall not apply to officers, directors and stockholders of such corporation * * *.

     Any misstatement or concealment of fact in an application shall be ground for denial of the application or for revocation of the permit issued thereon.

     The commissioner may refuse to issue a permit to an applicant for a place that is frequented by known criminals, prostitutes, or other law violators or troublemakers who disturb the peace and quietude of the community and frequently require the assistance of peace officers to apprehend such law violators or to restore order.  The burden of proof of establishing the foregoing shall rest upon the commissioner.

     SECTION 3.  Section 67-1-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     [Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-1-37.  (1)  The State Tax Commission, under its duties and powers with respect to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division therein, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

          (a)  To issue or refuse to issue any permit provided for by this chapter, or to extend the permit or remit in whole or any part of the permit monies when the permit cannot be used due to a natural disaster or Act of God.

          (b)  To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, or the law governing the production and sale of native wines, or any lawful rules and regulations of the commission issued hereunder, or for other sufficient cause, any permit issued by it under the provisions of this chapter; however, no such permit shall be revoked, suspended or cancelled except after a hearing of which the permit holder shall have been given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.  The board shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153.  The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be.  If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

          (c)  To prescribe forms of permits and applications for permits and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering this chapter.

          (d)  To fix standards, not in conflict with those prescribed by any law of this state or of the United States, to secure the use of proper ingredients and methods of manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

          (e)  To issue rules regulating the advertising of alcoholic beverages in the state in any class of media and permitting advertising of the retail price of alcoholic beverages.

          (f)  To issue reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all alcoholic beverages offered for sale within this state and providing for the standards of fill and shapes of retail containers of alcoholic beverages; however, such containers shall not contain less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.

          (g)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 67-1-51, to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of retail permits for premises located near or around schools, colleges, universities, churches and other public institutions, and specifying the distances therefrom within which no such permit shall be issued.  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall not issue a package retailer's or on-premises retailer's permit for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school, community or junior college, college or university * * *.

          (h)  To adopt and promulgate, repeal and amend, such rules, regulations, standards, requirements and orders, not inconsistent with this chapter or any law of this state or of the United States, as it deems necessary to control the manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor, whether intended for beverage or nonbeverage use in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or any other statute, including the native wine laws.

          (i)  To call upon other administrative departments of the state, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties.

          (j)  To prepare and submit to the Governor during the month of January of each year a detailed report of its official acts during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, including such recommendations as it may see fit to make, and to transmit a like report to each member of the Legislature of this state upon the convening thereof at its next regular session.

          (k)  To inspect, or cause to be inspected, any premises where alcoholic liquors intended for sale are manufactured, stored, distributed or sold, and to examine or cause to be examined all books and records pertaining to the business conducted therein.

          (l)  In the conduct of any hearing authorized to be held by the commission, to hear testimony and take proof material for its information in the discharge of its duties under this chapter; to issue subpoenas, which shall be effective in any part of this state, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records; to administer or cause to be administered oaths; and to examine or cause to be examined any witness under oath.  Any court of record, or any judge thereof, may by order duly entered require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books subpoenaed by the commission, and such court or judge may compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.

          (m)  To investigate the administration of laws in relation to alcoholic liquors in this and other states and any foreign countries, and to recommend from time to time to the Governor and through him to the Legislature of this state such amendments to this chapter, if any, as it may think desirable.

          (n)  To designate hours and days when alcoholic beverages may be sold in different localities in the state which permit such sale.

          (o)  To assign employees to posts of duty at locations where they will be most beneficial for the control of alcoholic beverages, to remove, to dismiss, to suspend without pay, to act as a trial board in hearings based upon charges against employees. After twelve (12) months' service, no employee shall be removed, dismissed, demoted or suspended without just cause and only after being furnished with reasons for such removal, dismissal, demotion or suspension, and upon request given a hearing in his own defense.

          (p)  All hearings conducted by the commission shall be open to the public, and, when deemed necessary, a written transcript shall be made of the testimony introduced thereat.

          (q)  To enforce the provisions made unlawful by Sections 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-53, 67-3-57 and 67-3-70.

     (2)  No alcoholic beverage shall be sold or consumed at any public athletic event at any public school, community or junior college, college or university.

     [From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-1-37.  (1)  The State Tax Commission, under its duties and powers with respect to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division therein, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:

          (a)  To issue or refuse to issue any permit provided for by this chapter, or to extend the permit or remit in whole or any part of the permit monies when the permit cannot be used due to a natural disaster or Act of God.

          (b)  To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, or the law governing the production and sale of native wines, or any lawful rules and regulations of the commission issued hereunder, or for other sufficient cause, any permit issued by it under the provisions of this chapter; however, no such permit shall be revoked, suspended or cancelled except after a hearing of which the permit holder shall have been given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard.  The board shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153.  The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be.  If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

          (c)  To prescribe forms of permits and applications for permits and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering this chapter.

          (d)  To fix standards, not in conflict with those prescribed by any law of this state or of the United States, to secure the use of proper ingredients and methods of manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

          (e)  To issue rules regulating the advertising of alcoholic beverages in the state in any class of media and permitting advertising of the retail price of alcoholic beverages.

          (f)  To issue reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all alcoholic beverages offered for sale within this state and providing for the standards of fill and shapes of retail containers of alcoholic beverages; however, such containers shall not contain less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.

          (g)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 67-1-51, to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of retail permits for premises located near or around schools, colleges, universities, churches and other public institutions, and specifying the distances therefrom within which no such permit shall be issued.  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall not issue a package retailer's or on-premises retailer's permit for the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school, community or junior college, college or university * * *.

          (h)  To adopt and promulgate, repeal and amend, such rules, regulations, standards, requirements and orders, not inconsistent with this chapter or any law of this state or of the United States, as it deems necessary to control the manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor, whether intended for beverage or nonbeverage use in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or any other statute, including the native wine laws.

          (i)  To call upon other administrative departments of the state, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties.

          (j)  To prepare and submit to the Governor during the month of January of each year a detailed report of its official acts during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, including such recommendations as it may see fit to make, and to transmit a like report to each member of the Legislature of this state upon the convening thereof at its next regular session.

          (k)  To inspect, or cause to be inspected, any premises where alcoholic liquors intended for sale are manufactured, stored, distributed or sold, and to examine or cause to be examined all books and records pertaining to the business conducted therein.

          (l)  In the conduct of any hearing authorized to be held by the commission, to hear testimony and take proof material for its information in the discharge of its duties under this chapter; to issue subpoenas, which shall be effective in any part of this state, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records; to administer or cause to be administered oaths; and to examine or cause to be examined any witness under oath.  Any court of record, or any judge thereof, may by order duly entered require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books subpoenaed by the commission, and such court or judge may compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.

          (m)  To investigate the administration of laws in relation to alcoholic liquors in this and other states and any foreign countries, and to recommend from time to time to the Governor and through him to the Legislature of this state such amendments to this chapter, if any, as it may think desirable.

          (n)  To designate hours and days when alcoholic beverages may be sold in different localities in the state which permit such sale.

          (o)  To assign employees to posts of duty at locations where they will be most beneficial for the control of alcoholic beverages, to remove, to dismiss, to suspend without pay, to act as a trial board in hearings based upon charges against employees. After twelve (12) months' service, no employee shall be removed, dismissed, demoted or suspended without just cause and only after being furnished with reasons for such removal, dismissal, demotion or suspension, and upon request given a hearing in his own defense.

          (p)  All hearings conducted by the commission shall be open to the public, and, when deemed necessary, a written transcript shall be made of the testimony introduced thereat.

     (2)  No alcoholic beverage shall be sold or consumed at any public athletic event at any public school, community or junior college, college or university.

     SECTION 4.  Section 67-3-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     [Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-3-31.  Proceedings for the revocation or suspension of any permit authorizing the sale of beer or wine at retail for a violation of any of the provisions of Section 67-3-53 may be brought in the circuit or county court of the county in which the licensed premises are located.  Such proceedings shall be entitled in the name of the state and against the permittee and shall be instituted by filing a complaint with the clerk of the court.  The complaint may be filed by the county prosecuting attorney of the county upon his own initiative or, then by the district attorney of the district in which the county is located, and it shall be mandatory upon the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, to file a complaint when requested to do so by a peace officer or any person as * * * provided in this section.  Any peace officer within his jurisdiction or any enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division within the State Tax Commission who learns that a retail permittee within his jurisdiction has violated any of the provisions of such section shall file with the county prosecuting attorney of the county in which the licensed premises are located, or, then with the district attorney of the district in which such county is located, an affidavit specifying in detail the facts alleged to constitute such violation, and requesting that a complaint be filed against the permittee for the revocation or suspension of his permit.  A like affidavit may be filed with the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, by any person who resides, and has for at least one (1) year prior thereto resided within the county in which the licensed premises are located requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permittee's permit.  Promptly upon receiving any such affidavit the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, shall prepare a proper complaint, which shall be signed and sworn to by the person or persons filing the affidavit with him, and the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney shall file the complaint with the clerk of the circuit or county court.

     [From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-3-31.  Proceedings for the revocation or suspension of any permit authorizing the sale of beer or wine at retail for a violation of any of the provisions of Section 67-3-53 may be brought in the circuit or county court of the county in which the licensed premises are located.  Such proceedings shall be entitled in the name of the state and against the permittee and shall be instituted by filing a complaint with the clerk of the court.  The complaint may be filed by the county prosecuting attorney of the county upon his own initiative or, then by the district attorney of the district in which the county is located, and it shall be mandatory upon the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, to file a complaint when requested to do so by a peace officer or any person as * * * provided in this section.  Any peace officer who learns that a retail permittee within his jurisdiction has violated any of the provisions of such section shall file with the county prosecuting attorney of the county in which the licensed premises are located, or, then with the district attorney of the district in which such county is located, an affidavit specifying in detail the facts alleged to constitute such violation, and requesting that a complaint be filed against the permittee for the revocation or suspension of his permit.  A like affidavit may be filed with the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, as the case may be, by any person who resides, and has for at least one (1) year prior thereto resided within the county in which the licensed premises are located requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permittee's permit.  Promptly upon receiving any such affidavit the county prosecuting attorney, or district attorney, shall prepare a proper complaint, which shall be signed and sworn to by the person or persons filing the affidavit with him, and the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney shall file the complaint with the clerk of the circuit or county court.

     SECTION 5.  Section 67-3-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     [Until July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-3-37.  It shall be the duty of the county prosecuting attorney or the district attorney, as the case may be, to file complaints as provided in Section 67-3-31 and to prosecute diligently and without delay all complaints filed by him.

     It shall be the duty of all peace officers, within their jurisdiction, and all enforcement officers of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Tax Commission to enforce the provisions of Section 67-3-53 and they shall frequently visit all licensed premises within their jurisdiction to determine whether such permittees are complying with the laws.  They shall promptly investigate all complaints made to them by any citizen relative to any alleged violations of such section within their jurisdiction.  When any peace officer or enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division has knowledge of a violation of such section committed by a permittee within his jurisdiction, it shall be his duty forthwith to file an affidavit with the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permit of the permittee.

     [From and after July 1, 2011, this section will read as follows:]

     67-3-37.  It shall be the duty of the county prosecuting attorney or the district attorney, as the case may be, to file complaints as provided in Section 67-3-31 and to prosecute diligently and without delay all complaints filed by him.

     It shall be the duty of all peace officers to enforce, within their jurisdiction, the provisions of Section 67-3-53 and they shall frequently visit all licensed premises within their jurisdiction to determine whether such permittees are complying with the laws.  They shall promptly investigate all complaints made to them by any citizen relative to any alleged violations of such section within their jurisdiction.  When any peace officer has knowledge of a violation of such section committed by a permittee within his jurisdiction, it shall be his duty forthwith to file an affidavit with the county prosecuting attorney or district attorney requesting that a complaint be filed for the revocation or suspension of the permit of the permittee.

     SECTION 6.  Section 67-3-74, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     67-3-74.  (1)  In addition to peace officers within their jurisdiction, all enforcement officers of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Tax Commission are authorized to enforce the provisions made unlawful by Sections 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-53, 67-3-57 and 67-3-70; provided, however, that the provisions prohibiting the sale of light wine or beer to persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be enforced by the division as provided for in this section.

     (2)  (a)  The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall investigate violations of the laws prohibiting the sale of light wine or beer to persons under the age of twenty-one (21) years upon receipt of a complaint or information from a person stating that they have knowledge of such violation.

          (b)  Upon receipt of such complaint or information, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall notify the permit holder of the complaint by certified mail to the primary business office of such permit holder or by hand delivery of the complaint or information to the primary business office of such holder, except in cases where the complaint or information is received from any law enforcement officer.

          (c)  If an enforcement officer of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division enters the business of the holder of the permit to investigate a complaint and discovers a violation, the agent shall notify the person that committed the violation and the holder of the permit:

              (i)  Within ten (10) days after such violation, Sundays and holidays excluded, if the business sells light wine or beer for on-premises consumption; and

              (ii)  Within seventy-two (72) hours after such violation, Sundays and holidays excluded, if the business does not sell light wine or beer for on-premises consumption.

     (3)  The provisions of this section shall be repealed on July 1, 2011.

     SECTION 7.  Section 27-71-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     27-71-5.  (1)  Upon each person approved for a permit under the provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and amendments thereto, there is levied and imposed for each location for the privilege of engaging and continuing in this state in the business authorized by such permit, an annual privilege license tax in the amount provided in the following schedule:

(a)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (1), manufacturer's permit, Class 1, distiller's and/or rectifier's........................................... $4,500.00

          (b)  Manufacturer's permit, Class 2, wine manufacturer

...................................................... $1,800.00

(c)  Manufacturer's permit, Class 3, native wine manufacturer per ten thousand (10,000) gallons or part thereof produced.............................................. $   10.00

(d)  Native wine retailer's permit.......... $   50.00

(e)  Package retailer's permit, each........ $  900.00

(f)  On-premises retailer's permit, except for clubs and common carriers, each................................. $  450.00

On purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................................... $  225.00

(g)  On-premises retailer's permit for wine of more than five percent (5%) alcohol by weight, but not more than twenty-one percent (21%) alcohol by weight, each................. $  225.00

On purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................................... $  225.00

(h)  On-premises retailer's permit for clubs$  225.00

On purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................................... $  225.00

(i)  On-premises retailer's permit for common carriers, per car, plane, or other vehicle...................... $  120.00

(j)  Solicitor's permit, regardless of any other provision of law, solicitor's permits shall be issued only in the discretion of the commission.......................... $  100.00

(k)  Filing fee for each application except for an employee identification card.......................... $   25.00

(l)  Temporary permit, Class 1, each........ $   10.00

(m)  Temporary permit, Class 2, each........ $   50.00

On-premises purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................... $  225.00

(n)  (i)  Caterer's permit.................. $  600.00

On purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................................... $  250.00

(ii)  Caterer's permit for holders of on-premises retailer's permit..................................... $  150.00

On purchases exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and for each additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or fraction thereof...................................... $  250.00

(o)  Research permit........................ $  100.00

(p)  Hospitality cart permit................ $   50.00

     For purposes of the additional privilege license tax provided for in paragraph (f) of this subsection, purchases from a hospitality cart shall be considered to be sales made by the holder of the on-premises retailer's permit issued for the golf course upon which the sales are made.

     If a person approved for a manufacturer's permit, Class 1, distiller's permit produces a product with at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the finished product by volume being obtained from alcoholic fermentation of grapes, fruits, berries, honey and/or vegetables grown and produced in Mississippi, and produces all of the product by using not more than one (1) still having a maximum capacity of one hundred fifty (150) liters, the annual privilege license tax for such a permit shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) per ten thousand (10,000) gallons or part thereof produced.  Bulk, concentrated or fortified ingredients used for blending may be produced outside this state and used in producing such a product.

     In addition to the filing fee imposed by item (k) of this subsection, a fee to be determined by the State Tax Commission may be charged to defray costs incurred to process applications.  The additional fees shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of a special fund account, which is hereby created, and expenditures therefrom shall be made only to defray the costs incurred by the State Tax Commission in processing alcoholic beverage applications.  Any unencumbered balance remaining in the special fund account on June 30 of any fiscal year shall lapse into the State General Fund.

     All privilege taxesimposed by this section shall be paid in advance of doing business.  The additional privilege tax imposed for an on-premises retailer's permit based upon purchases shall be due and payable on demand.

     Any person who has paid the additional privilege license tax imposed by item (f), (g), (h), (m) or (n) of this subsection, and whose permit is renewed, may add any unused fraction of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) purchases to the first Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) purchases authorized by the renewal permit, and no additional license tax will be required until purchases exceed the sum of the two (2) figures.

     (2)  There is imposed and shall be collected from each permittee, except a common carrier, solicitor or a temporary permittee, by the commission, an additional license tax equal to the amounts imposed under subsection (1) of this section for the privilege of doing business within any municipality or county in which the licensee is located.  If the licensee is located within a municipality, the commission shall pay the amount of additional license tax to the municipality, and if outside a municipality the commission shall pay the additional license tax to the county in which the licensee is located.  Payments by the commission to the respective local government subdivisions shall be made once each month for any collections during the preceding month.

     (3)  When an application for any permit, other than for renewal of a permit, has been rejected by the commission, such decision shall be final.  Appeal may be made in the manner provided by Section 67-1-39.  Another application from an applicant who has been denied a permit shall not be reconsidered within a twelve-month period.

     (4)  The number of permits issued by the commission shall not be restricted or limited on a population basis; however, the foregoing limitation shall not be construed to preclude the right of the commission to refuse to issue a permit because of the undesirability of the proposed location.

     (5)  If any person shall engage or continue in any business which is taxable under this section without having paid the tax as provided in this section, the person shall be liable for the full amount of the tax plus a penalty thereon equal to the amount thereof, and, in addition, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.

     (6)  It shall be unlawful for any person to consume alcoholic beverages on the premises of any hotel restaurant, restaurant, club or the interior of any public place defined in Chapter 1, Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972, when the owner or manager thereof displays in several conspicuous places inside the establishment and at the entrances of establishment a sign containing the following language:  NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED.

     SECTION 8.  Section 27-71-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     27-71-301.  When used in this article the words and terms hereafter mentioned shall have the following definitions:

          (a)  "State Auditor" means the State Auditor of Public Accounts of the State of Mississippi or any legally appointed deputy, clerk or agent.

          (b)  "Person" includes all natural persons or corporations, a partnership, an association, a joint venture, an estate, a trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and shall include the plural as well as the singular unless an intention to give another meaning thereto is disclosed in the context.

          (c)  "Consumer" means a person who comes into the possession of beer or light wine, the sale of which is authorized by Chapter 3 of Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of consuming it, giving it away or otherwise disposing of it in any manner except by sale, barter or exchange.

          (d)  "Retailer" means any person who comes into the possession of such light wines or beer for the purpose of selling it to the consumer, or giving it away, or exposing it where it may be taken or purchased or acquired in any other manner by the consumer.

          (e)  "Wholesaler" means any person who comes into possession of such light wine or beer for the purpose of selling, distributing, or giving it away to retailers or other wholesalers or dealers inside or outside of this state.

          (f)  "Commissioner" means the Chairman of the State Tax Commission or his duly appointed agents or employees.

          (g)  "Sale" includes the exchange of such light wines or beer for money, or giving away or distributing any such light wines or beer for anything of value.

          (h)  "Light wines or beer" means beer and light wines legalized for sale by the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972.

          (i)  "Distributor" includes every person who receives either from within or from without this state, from a brewery, a winery or any other source, light wines or beer as defined in Chapter 3 of Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of distributing or otherwise disposing of such light wines or beer to a wholesaler or retailer of such light wines or beer.

          (j)  "Brewpub" means the premises of any restaurant, as defined in Section 67-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, in which light wine or beer is manufactured or brewed, subject to the production limitation imposed in Section 67-3-22, for consumption exclusively on the premises.  "Premises," for the purpose of this paragraph (j) for a brewpub operated by a hospitality operator, means only those areas immediately adjacent and connected to the brewing facility where food is normally sold and consumed.  "Premises," for the purposes of this paragraph (j) for a brewpub not operated by a hospitality operator, means those areas normally used by the brewpub to conduct business and shall include the selling areas, brewing areas and storage areas.  For purposes of this paragraph (j), hospitality operator shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 67-33-22.

          (k)  "Hospitality cart" means a mobile cart from which alcoholic beverages and light wine and beer are sold on a golf course and for which a hospitality cart permit has been issued under Section 67-1-51.

     SECTION 9.  Section 27-71-303, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     27-71-303.  Upon each person approved for a permit to engage in the business of selling light wines or beer there is hereby imposed, levied and assessed, to be collected and paid as herein provided, annual privilege taxes in the following amounts:

          (a)  Retailers--for each place of

business............................... $   30.00

          (b)  Wholesalers or distributors--for each

county................................. $  100.00

          (c)  Manufacturers--for each place of

business............................... $1,000.00

          (d)  Brewpubs--for each place of

business............................... $1,000.00

     Upon each person operating an airline, bus, boat, railroad car or hospitality cart upon which light wines or beer may be sold there is hereby imposed, levied and assessed, to be collected and paid, annual privilege taxes of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each airplane, bus, boat,  railroad car or hospitality cart so operated in this state.

     Provided, however, the amount of the privilege tax to be paid for a permit issued for a period of less than twelve (12) months shall be that proportionate amount of the annual privilege tax that the number of months, or part of a month, remaining until its expiration date bears to twelve (12) months, but in no case shall the privilege tax be less than Ten Dollars ($10.00).

     SECTION 10.  Section 67-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     67-1-51.  (1)  Permits which may be issued by the commission shall be as follows:

          (a)  Manufacturer's permit.  A manufacturer's permit shall permit the manufacture, importation in bulk, bottling and storage of alcoholic liquor and its distribution and sale to manufacturers holding permits under this chapter in this state and to persons outside the state who are authorized by law to purchase the same, and to sell exclusively to the commission.  Manufacturer's permits shall be of the following classes:

     Class 1.  Distiller's and/or rectifier's permit, which shall authorize the holder thereof to operate a distillery for the production of distilled spirits by distillation or redistillation and/or to operate a rectifying plant for the purifying, refining, mixing, blending, flavoring or reducing in proof of distilled spirits and alcohol.

     Class 2.  Wine manufacturer's permit, which shall authorize the holder thereof to manufacture, import in bulk, bottle and store wine or vinous liquor.

     Class 3.  Native wine producer's permit, which shall authorize the holder thereof to produce, bottle, store and sell native wines.

          (b)  Package retailer's permit.  Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a package retailer's permit shall authorize the holder thereof to operate a store exclusively for the sale at retail in original sealed and unopened packages of alcoholic beverages, including native wines, not to be consumed on the premises where sold.  Alcoholic beverages shall not be sold by any retailer in any package or container containing less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.  In addition to the sale at retail of packages of alcoholic beverages, the holder of a package retailer's permit is authorized to sell at retail corkscrews, wine glasses, soft drinks, ice, juices, mixers and other beverages commonly used to mix with alcoholic beverages.  Nonalcoholic beverages sold by the holder of a package retailer's permit shall not be consumed on the premises where sold.

          (c)  On-premises retailer's permit.  An on-premises retailer's permit shall authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages, including native wines, for consumption on the licensed premises only.  Such a permit shall issue only to qualified hotels, restaurants and clubs, and to common carriers with adequate facilities for serving passengers.  In resort areas, whether inside or outside of a municipality, the commission may, in its discretion, issue on-premises retailer's permits to such establishments as it deems proper.  An on-premises retailer's permit when issued to a common carrier shall authorize the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages aboard any licensed vehicle while moving through any county of the state; however, the sale of such alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted while such vehicle is stopped in a county that has not legalized such sales.

          (d)  Solicitor's permit.  A solicitor's permit shall authorize the holder thereof to act as salesman for a manufacturer or wholesaler holding a proper permit, to solicit on behalf of his employer orders for alcoholic beverages, and to otherwise promote his employer's products in a legitimate manner.  Such a permit shall authorize the representation of and employment by one (1) principal only.  However, the permittee may also, in the discretion of the commission, be issued additional permits to represent other principals.  No such permittee shall buy or sell alcoholic beverages for his own account, and no such beverage shall be brought into this state in pursuance of the exercise of such permit otherwise than through a permit issued to a wholesaler or manufacturer in the state.

          (e)  Native wine retailer's permit.  A native wine retailer's permit shall be issued only to a holder of a Class 3 manufacturer's permit, and shall authorize the holder thereof to make retail sales of native wines to consumers for on-premises consumption or to consumers in originally sealed and unopened containers at an establishment located on the premises of or in the immediate vicinity of a native winery.

          (f)  Temporary retailer's permit.  A temporary retailer's permit shall permit the purchase and resale of alcoholic beverages, including native wines, during legal hours on the premises described in the temporary permit only.

     Temporary retailer's permits shall be of the following classes:

     Class 1.  A temporary one-day permit may be issued to bona fide nonprofit civic or charitable organizations authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages, including native wine, for consumption on the premises described in the temporary permit only.  Class 1 permits may be issued only to applicants demonstrating to the commission, by affidavit submitted ten (10) days prior to the proposed date or such other time as the commission may determine, that they meet the qualifications of Sections 67-1-11, 67-1-37, 67-1-51(2) and (3), 67-1-55, 67-1-57 (excluding paragraph (e)) and 67-1-59.  Class 1 permittees shall obtain all alcoholic beverages from package retailers located in the county in which the temporary permit is issued.  Alcoholic beverages remaining in stock upon expiration of the temporary permit may be returned by the permittee to the package retailer for a refund of the purchase price upon consent of the package retailer or may be kept by the permittee exclusively for personal use and consumption, subject to all laws pertaining to the illegal sale and possession of alcoholic beverages.  The commission, following review of the affidavit and the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations, may issue the permit.

     Class 2.  A temporary permit, not to exceed seventy (70) days, may be issued to prospective permittees seeking to transfer a permit authorized in either paragraph (b) or (c) of this section.  A Class 2 permit may be issued only to applicants demonstrating to the commission, by affidavit, that they meet the qualifications of Sections 67-1-5(l), (m), (n), (o), (p) or (q), 67-1-37, 67-1-51(2) and (3), 67-1-55, 67-1-57 and 67-1-59.  The commission, following a preliminary review of the affidavit and the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations, may issue the permit.

     Class 2 temporary permittees must purchase their alcoholic beverages directly from the commission or, with approval of the commission, purchase the remaining stock of the previous permittee.  If the proposed applicant of a Class 1 or Class 2 temporary permit falsifies information contained in the application or affidavit, the applicant shall never again be eligible for a retail alcohol beverage permit and shall be subject to prosecution for perjury.

          (g)  Caterer's permit.  A caterer's permit shall permit the purchase of alcoholic beverages by a person engaging in business as a caterer and the resale of alcoholic beverages by such person in conjunction with such catering business.  No person shall qualify as a caterer unless forty percent (40%) or more of the revenue derived from such catering business shall be from the serving of prepared food and not from the sale of alcoholic beverages and unless such person has obtained a permit for such business from the Department of Health.  A caterer's permit shall not authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises of the person engaging in business as a caterer; however, the holder of an on-premises retailer's permit may hold a caterer's permit.  When the holder of an on-premises retailer's permit or an affiliated entity of the holder also holds a caterer's permit, the caterer's permit shall not authorize the service of alcoholic beverages on a consistent, recurring basis at a separate, fixed location owned or operated by the caterer, on-premises retailer or affiliated entity and an on-premises retailer's permit shall be required for the separate location.  All sales of alcoholic beverages by holders of a caterer's permit shall be made at the location being catered by the caterer, and such sales may be made only for consumption at the catered location.  The location being catered may be anywhere within a county or judicial district that has voted to come out from under the dry laws or in which the sale, distribution and possession of alcoholic beverages is otherwise authorized by law.  Such sales shall be made pursuant to any other conditions and restrictions which apply to sales made by on-premises retail permittees.  The holder of a caterer's permit or his employees shall remain at the catered location as long as alcoholic beverages are being sold pursuant to the permit issued under this paragraph (g), and the permittee shall have at the location the identification card issued by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the commission.  No unsold alcoholic beverages may be left at the catered location by the permittee upon the conclusion of his business at that location.  Appropriate law enforcement officers and Alcoholic Beverage Control Division personnel may enter a catered location on private property in order to enforce laws governing the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages.

          (h)  Research permit.  A research permit shall authorize the holder thereof to operate a research facility for the professional research of alcoholic beverages.  Such permit shall authorize the holder of the permit to import and purchase limited amounts of alcoholic beverages from the commission or from importers, wineries and distillers of alcoholic beverages for professional research.

          (i)  Alcohol processing permit.  An alcohol processing permit shall authorize the holder thereof to purchase, transport and possess alcoholic beverages for the exclusive use in cooking, processing or manufacturing products which contain alcoholic beverages as an integral ingredient.  An alcohol processing permit shall not authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises of the person engaging in the business of cooking, processing or manufacturing products which contain alcoholic beverages.  The amounts of alcoholic beverages allowed under an alcohol processing permit shall be set by the commission.

          (j)  Hospitality cart permit.  A hospitality cart permit shall authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages from a mobile cart on a golf course that is the holder of an on-premises retailer's permit.  The alcoholic beverages sold from the cart must be consumed within the boundaries of the golf course.

     (2)  Except as otherwise provided in subsection (4) of this section, retail permittees may hold more than one (1) retail permit, at the discretion of the commission.

     (3)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, no authority shall be granted to any person to manufacture, sell or store for sale any intoxicating liquor as specified in this chapter within four hundred (400) feet of any church, school, kindergarten or funeral home.  However, within an area zoned commercial or business, such minimum distance shall be not less than one hundred (100) feet.

     A church or funeral home may waive the distance restrictions imposed in this subsection in favor of allowing issuance by the commission of a permit, pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, to authorize activity relating to the manufacturing, sale or storage of alcoholic beverages which would otherwise be prohibited under the minimum distance criterion.  Such waiver shall be in written form from the owner, the governing body, or the appropriate officer of the church or funeral home having the authority to execute such a waiver, and the waiver shall be filed with and verified by the commission before becoming effective.

     The distance restrictions imposed in this subsection shall not apply to the sale or storage of alcoholic beverages at a bed and breakfast inn listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

     (4)  No person, either individually or as a member of a firm, partnership, limited liability company or association, or as a stockholder, officer or director in a corporation, shall own or control any interest in more than one (1) package retailer's permit, nor shall such person's spouse, if living in the same household of such person, any relative of such person, if living in the same household of such person, or any other person living in the same household with such person own any interest in any other package retailer's permit.

     SECTION 11.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.