MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Zuber
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-71-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF THE TERM "RETAILER" AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "MICROBREWERY" FOR PURPOSES OF THE LAWS THAT RELATE TO LICENSE AND EXCISE TAXES ON LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER; TO AMEND SECTION 27-71-303, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO IMPOSE A PRIVILEGE TAX ON HOLDERS OF MICROBREWERY PERMITS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-71-307, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO IMPOSE AN EXCISE TAX ON LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER PROVIDED BY MICROBREWERIES; TO AMEND SECTION 27-71-509, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE ALCOHOL CONTENT FOR LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER THAT MAY BE MANUFACTURED, DISTRIBUTED AND SOLD; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE TERM "MICROBREWERY" FOR PURPOSES OF THE LAWS REGULATING THE SALE OF LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-48, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER PRODUCED AT A SMALL CRAFT BREWERY THAT THE BREWERY MAY SELL AT RETAIL; TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER PRODUCED AT A MICROBREWERY THAT THE MICROBREWERY MAY SELL AT RETAIL; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE ALCOHOL CONTENT FOR LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER THAT MAY BE LAWFULLY MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO THE SALE OF LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER SHALL NOT APPLY TO LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER SOLD ON THE PREMISES OF A MICROBREWERY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 67-3-9, 67-3-17, 67-3-28, 67-3-47, 67-3-48.1 AND 67-3-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE SECTIONS OF LAW REGULATING THE SALE OF LIGHT WINE, LIGHT SPIRIT PRODUCT AND BEER, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 67-1-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE SMALL CRAFT BREWERIES AND MICROBREWERIES TO OBTAIN ON-PREMISES RETAILER'S PERMITS UNDER THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 67-1-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH DEFINES CERTAIN TERMS UNDER THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. 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, light spirit product 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, light spirit products 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. The term "retailer" shall include small craft breweries and microbreweries; however, the term "retailer" shall not include a person who offers and provides beer on the premises of a brewery for the purpose of tasting or sampling as authorized in Section 67-3-47.
(e) "Wholesaler" means any person who comes into possession of such light wine, light spirit product 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 Commissioner of Revenue of the Department of Revenue or his duly appointed agents or employees.
(g) "Sale" includes the exchange of such light wines, light spirit products or beer for money, or giving away or distributing any such light wines, light spirit products or beer for anything of value; however, the term "sale" shall not include beer offered and provided on the premises of a brewery for the purpose of tasting or sampling as authorized in Section 67-3-47.
(h) "Light wines, light spirit products or beer" means beer, light spirit products 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, light spirit products 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, light spirit products or beer to a wholesaler or retailer of such light wines, light spirit products or beer.
(j) "Brewpub" means the premises of any location in which light wine, light spirit product or beer is manufactured or brewed, for retail sale if the total amount of light wine, light spirit product or beer produced on the premises does not exceed the production limitation imposed in Section 67-3-22, and the light wine, light spirit product or beer is produced for consumption on the premises, although without prohibition on sales for off-premises consumption.
(k) "Hospitality cart" means a mobile cart from which alcoholic beverages and light wine, light spirit product and beer are sold on a golf course and for which a hospitality cart permit has been issued under Section 67-1-51.
(l) "Small craft brewery" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 67-3-3.
(m) "Manufacturer" means a person who brews beer at a brewery; however, the term does not include "brewpubs."
(n) "Microbrewery" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 67-3-3.
SECTION 2. 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, light spirit products 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
(e) Microbrewery--for each place of
business.............................................. $1,000.00
Upon each person operating an airline, bus, boat or railroad car upon which light wines, light spirit products 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 or railroad car 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 3. Section 27-71-307, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-71-307. (1) (a) In addition to the specific tax imposed in Section 27-71-303, there is hereby imposed, levied, assessed and shall be collected, as hereinafter provided, an excise or privilege tax upon each person engaged or continuing in the business of wholesaler or distributor of light wines, light spirit products or beer equivalent to Forty-two and Sixty-eight One-hundredths Cents (42.68¢) per gallon upon all light wines, light spirit products and beer acquired for sale or distribution in this state. The excise or privilege tax is also imposed at the same rate upon each gallon of light wine, light spirit product or beer manufactured by brewpubs, each of which shall accurately and reliably measure the quantity of light wine, light spirit product and beer produced by using a measuring device such as a meter or gauge glass or any other suitable method approved by the commissioner. The excise or privilege tax is also imposed at the same rate upon each gallon of light wine, light spirit product or beer provided by a small craft brewery or microbrewery for sale as authorized under Section 67-3-48 and upon each gallon of light wine, light spirit product or beer provided for tasting or sampling under Section 67-3-47. The tax is hereby imposed as an additional tax for the privilege of engaging or continuing in business.
(b) The excise tax imposed in this section shall be paid to the Department of Revenue monthly on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the beer, light spirit product or light wine was manufactured or received in this state. Monthly report forms shall be furnished by the commissioner to the wholesalers, distributors, brewpubs, microbreweries and small craft breweries.
(c) Provided that persons operating a railroad dining car, club car or other car in interstate commerce upon which light wines, light spirit products or beer may be sold and who are licensed under the provisions of Section 67-3-27 and any other law relating to the sale of such beverages shall keep such records of the sales of such light wines, light spirit products and beer in this state as the commissioner shall prescribe and shall submit monthly reports of such sales to the commissioner within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month on a form prescribed therefor by the commissioner, and shall pay the tax due under the provisions of this section at the time such reports are filed.
No official crowns, lids, labels or stamps with the word "MISSISSIPPI" or "MS" imprinted thereon or any other evidence of tax payment is required by this section, or may be required under rule or regulation promulgated by the commissioner, to be affixed on or to any part of a beer, light wine, light spirit product or malt cooler bottle, can or other light wine, light spirit product or malt cooler container. For purposes of this section, malt cooler products shall be defined as a flavored malt beverage made from a base of malt beverage and flavored with fruit juices, aromatics and essences of other flavoring in quantities and proportions such that the resulting product possesses a character and flavor distinctive from the base malt beverage and distinguishable from other malt beverages.
(2) A licensed wholesaler or distributor of beer, light spirit product or light wine may not import beer, light spirit product or light wine from any source other than a brewer or importer authorized by the commissioner to sell such beer, light spirit product or light wine in Mississippi. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court and shall be subject to license forfeiture following an appropriate hearing before the Department of Revenue.
(3) The wholesaler, distributor, microbrewery or small craft brewery shall be allowed credit for tax paid on beer, light spirit product or light wine which is no longer marketable and which is destroyed by same when such destruction is witnessed by an agent of the commissioner and when the amount of the excise tax exceeds One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). No other loss will be allowed.
A brewpub shall be allowed credit for light wine, light spirit product or beer which has passed through the meter, gauge glass or other approved measuring device and which has been soured or damaged. The brewpub shall record the removal of sour or damaged light wine, light spirit product or beer and may take credit after the destruction is witnessed by an agent of the commissioner and when the amount of excise tax exceeds Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00). No other loss shall be allowed.
(4) All manufacturers, brewers and importers of beer, light spirit product or light wine shall file monthly reports as prescribed by the commissioner listing sales to each wholesaler or distributor by date, invoice number, quantity and container size, and any other information deemed necessary.
(5) All small craft breweries and microbreweries shall file monthly reports as prescribed by the commissioner regarding the sale of light wine, light spirit product or beer authorized under Section 67-3-48.
(6) Manufacturers who offer and provide limited amounts of beer for tasting or sampling under Section 67-3-47 shall file monthly reports as prescribed by the commissioner regarding the beer provided for such tasting or sampling.
(7) All administrative provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes and for noncompliance with the provisions of such chapter, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under the provisions of this chapter, and the commissioner shall exercise all the power and authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this chapter as are provided in the sales tax law except where there is conflict, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.
SECTION 4. Section 27-71-509, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-71-509. It shall be
unlawful for any brewer, manufacturer, distributor or retailer of light wines,
light spirit products or beer to whom a permit has been issued under the
provisions of Sections 67-3-15 and 67-3-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, to write
or print on any label or container of either of the above-named commodities any
matter relating to the alcoholic content of such beverage or beverages, except
a statement, to the effect that the contents of the vessel or container in
which light wine shall be sold does not contain alcohol in excess of five
percent (5%) of the contents thereof, by weight, that the contents of the vessel
or container in which light spirit product shall be sold does not contain
alcohol in excess of * * * eight percent (8%) of the contents thereof, by
weight, and that the contents of the vessel or container in which beer shall be
sold does not contain alcohol in excess of eight percent (8%) of the contents
thereof, by weight. It shall be unlawful for any such brewer, wholesaler,
distributor or retailer to sell any such commodity with any statement in
conflict with the provisions of this section, with reference to the alcoholic
content of such beverage or beverages, except that a statement of alcoholic
content may be expressed on any light wine, light spirit product or beer label
in terms of volume or weight, at the manufacturer's option; and such statement,
if by volume, shall be subject to the same permitted tolerance allowed for wine
containing fourteen percent (14%) alcohol by volume or less by Section
4.36(b)(1) of the Federal Labeling Requirements for Wine, 27 CFR Part 4,
subpart D, and Section 7.71(c) 27 CFR Part 7, subpart G, and, if by weight,
shall be subject to an equivalent permitted tolerance, determined in terms of
alcohol by weight.
SECTION 5. Section 67-3-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-3. When used in this chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise:
(a) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Revenue of the Department of Revenue of the State of Mississippi, and his authorized agents and employees.
(b) "Person" means one or more persons, a company, a corporation, a partnership, a syndicate or an association.
(c) "Brewpub" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 27-71-301.
(d) "Beer" means a malt beverage as defined in the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such act of an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent (8%) by weight.
(e) "Light wine" means wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight.
(g) "Growler" means a sealed container that holds not more than one hundred twenty-eight (128) ounces of light wine, light spirit product or beer. A growler must have a label on it stating what it contains.
(h) "Manufacturer" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 27-71-301.
(i) "Contract-brewed beer" means beer brewed by a manufacturer who:
(i) Makes the beer pursuant to a written contract with another beer manufacturer, and neither entity has a controlling interest in the other entity;
(ii) Makes the beer in accordance with a recipe that is a trade secret of the beer manufacturer having its beer made under contract; and
(iii) Has no right to sell the beer to any other beer manufacturer, importer or wholesaler other than the beer manufacturer who contracted for the beer.
(j) "Light spirit product" means a beverage of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight and containing one or more distilled spirits, as defined in Section 67-1-5.
(k) "Microbrewery" means a person having a permit under this chapter to manufacture or brew light wine, light spirit product or beer in this state and who manufactures or brews not more than three thousand (3,000) barrels of light wine, light spirit product or beer at its permitted location.
SECTION 6. Section 67-3-48, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-48. (1) A small craft brewery may sell at retail light wine, light spirit product or beer produced at its brewery for consumption on the premises of the brewery and consumption off the premises of the brewery if the sales are made on the premises of the brewery and the light wine, light spirit product or beer products offered for sale are also made available for sale to wholesalers.
(2)
(a) A small craft brewery shall not sell at retail more than * * * twenty-five percent (25%)
of the light wine, light spirit product or beer produced annually at its
brewery or more than * * * two thousand five hundred (2,500)
barrels of light wine, light spirit product or beer produced at the brewery
annually, whichever is the lesser amount. For purposes of this subsection,
contract-brewed beer shall not be included in the amount of beer produced
annually at the brewery. The light wine, light spirit product or beer must be
sold at a price approximating retail prices generally charged for identical
beverages in the county where the brewery is located.
(b)
A small craft brewery shall not make retail sales of more than * * * six
hundred sixty-six (666) ounces, in the aggregate, of light wine, light
spirit product or beer to any one (1) individual for consumption off the
premises of the brewery within a twenty-four-hour period.
(c) The limits on sales provided for in this subsection shall not apply to beer provided pursuant to Section 67-3-47.
(d) A microbrewery shall not sell at retail more than eighty percent (80%) of light wine, light spirit product or beer produced annually at its brewery. The light wine, light spirit product or beer must be sold at a price approximating prices generally charged for identical beverages in the county where the microbrewery is located.
(3) A small craft brewery or microbrewery shall take commercially reasonable steps to ensure that light wine, light spirit product or beer products sold for consumption off the premises of the brewery are being sold for personal use and not for resale and are not being sold to anyone holding a retail permit for the purpose of resale in their establishment.
(4) A small craft brewery or microbrewery shall not make retail sales of contract-brewed beer.
(5) A small craft brewery or microbrewery shall not mail or ship light wine, light spirit product or beer to a consumer.
SECTION 7. Section 67-3-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-49. (1) Except as
otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any brewer or
manufacturer or distributor or wholesale dealer of or in light wines, light
spirit products and/or beer to manufacture or knowingly bring upon his premises
or keep thereon any wine of an alcoholic content of more than five
percent (5%) by weight, any light spirit product of an alcoholic content of
more than * * * eight percent (8%) by weight, any beer of an alcoholic
content of more than eight percent (8%) by weight, or any distilled spirits of
any alcoholic content whatsoever. Any person that shall add to or mix with any
beer, light spirit product or light wine any alcoholic or other liquid, or any
alcohol cube or cubes, or any other ingredient or ingredients that will
increase or tend to increase the alcoholic content of such liquor, or any
person that shall knowingly offer for sale any liquor so treated, shall be
guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as hereinafter provided in this chapter.
The commissioner shall take any action he considers necessary to ensure that
light wine, light spirit product and/or beer manufactured at a brewpub complies
with the provisions of this section.
(2) A brewer or manufacturer of light wine, light spirit product or beer may manufacture and keep upon his premises beer of an alcoholic content of more than eight percent (8%) by weight if the beer is manufactured for legal sale in another state.
SECTION 8. Section 67-3-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-55. (1) It shall be unlawful for any retailer to possess for purpose of sale, to sell, or to offer to sell any light wine, light spirit product or beer which was not purchased from a wholesaler in this state who has a permit to sell such light wine, light spirit product or beer, except for beer, light spirit product or light wine that was brewed on the premises of the retailer who holds a permit as a brewpub pursuant to Article 3, Chapter 71, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any wholesaler to possess for purpose of sale, to sell, or to offer to sell any light wine, light spirit product or beer which was not purchased from a manufacturer or importer of a foreign manufacturer authorized to sell such light wine, light spirit product or beer in this state.
(3) This section shall not apply to:
(a) Beer offered and provided on the premises of a brewery for the purpose of tasting or sampling as authorized in Section 67-3-47; or
(b) Light wine, light spirit product or beer sold on the premises of a small craft brewery or microbrewery as authorized in Section 67-3-48.
SECTION 9. Section 67-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-1-51. (1) Permits which may be issued by the department 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 as provided by this chapter.
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 and Section 67-1-52, 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. A package retailer's permit, with prior approval from the department, shall authorize the holder thereof to sample new product furnished by a manufacturer's representative or his employees at the permitted place of business so long as the sampling otherwise complies with this chapter and applicable department regulations. Such samples may not be provided to customers at the permitted place of business. 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. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, an on-premises retailer's permit shall authorize the sale of alcoholic beverages, including native wines, for consumption on the licensed premises only; however, a patron of the permit holder may remove one (1) bottle of wine from the licensed premises if: (i) the patron consumed a portion of the bottle of wine in the course of consuming a meal purchased on the licensed premises; (ii) the permit holder securely reseals the bottle; (iii) the bottle is placed in a bag that is secured in a manner so that it will be visibly apparent if the bag is opened; and (iv) a dated receipt for the wine and the meal is available. Additionally, as part of a carryout order, a permit holder may sell one (1) bottle of wine to be removed from the licensed premises for every two (2) entrees ordered. Such a permit shall be issued only to qualified hotels, restaurants and clubs, small craft breweries, microbreweries, and to common carriers with adequate facilities for serving passengers. In resort areas, whether inside or outside of a municipality, the department, in its discretion, may 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. If an on-premises retailer's permit is applied for by a common carrier operating solely in the water, such common carrier must, along with all other qualifications for a permit, (i) be certified to carry at least one hundred fifty (150) passengers and/or provide overnight accommodations for at least fifty (50) passengers and (ii) operate primarily in the waters within the State of Mississippi which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi and/or on the Mississippi River or navigable waters within any county bordering on the Mississippi River.
(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 department, 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. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, 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. When selling to consumers for on-premises consumption, a holder of a native wine retailer's permit may add to the native wine alcoholic beverages not produced on the premises, so long as the total volume of foreign beverage components does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the mixed beverage. Hours of sale shall be the same as those authorized for on-premises permittees in the city or county in which the native wine retailer is located.
(f) Temporary retailer's permit. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, 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 department, by a statement signed under penalty of perjury submitted ten (10) days prior to the proposed date or such other time as the department 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 department, following review of the statement provided by the applicant 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 paragraph (c) of this subsection. A Class 2 permit may be issued only to applicants demonstrating to the department, by a statement signed under the penalty of perjury, 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 department, following a preliminary review of the statement provided by the applicant 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 department or, with approval of the department, 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 statement, the applicant shall never again be eligible for a retail alcohol beverage permit and shall be subject to prosecution for perjury.
Class 3. A temporary one-day permit may be issued to a retail establishment authorizing the complimentary distribution of wine, including native wine, to patrons of the retail establishment at an open house or promotional event, for consumption only on the premises described in the temporary permit. A Class 3 permit may be issued only to an applicant demonstrating to the department, by a statement signed under penalty of perjury submitted ten (10) days before the proposed date or such other time as the department may determine, that it meets 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. A Class 3 permit holder shall obtain all alcoholic beverages from the holder(s) of a package retailer's permit located in the county in which the temporary permit is issued. Wine remaining in stock upon expiration of the temporary permit may be returned by the Class 3 temporary permit holder to the package retailer for a refund of the purchase price, with consent of the package retailer, or may be kept by the Class 3 temporary permit holder exclusively for personal use and consumption, subject to all laws pertaining to the illegal sale and possession of alcoholic beverages. The department, following review of the statement provided by the applicant and the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations, may issue the permit. No retailer may receive more than twelve (12) Class 3 temporary permits in a calendar year. A Class 3 temporary permit shall not be issued to a retail establishment that either holds a merchant permit issued under paragraph (l) of this subsection, or holds a permit issued under Chapter 3, Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972, authorizing the holder to engage in the business of a retailer of light wine or beer.
(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, except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, 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 and distribution 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 department. 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 department 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 department.
(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.
(k) Special service permit. A special service permit shall authorize the holder to sell commercially sealed alcoholic beverages to the operator of a commercial or private aircraft for en route consumption only by passengers. A special service permit shall be issued only to a fixed-base operator who contracts with an airport facility to provide fueling and other associated services to commercial and private aircraft.
(l) Merchant permit. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, a merchant permit shall be issued only to the owner of a spa facility, an art studio or gallery, or a cooking school, and shall authorize the holder to serve complimentary by the glass wine only, including native wine, at the holder's spa facility, art studio or gallery, or cooking school. A merchant permit holder shall obtain all wine from the holder of a package retailer's permit.
(m) Temporary alcoholic beverages charitable auction permit. A temporary permit, not to exceed five (5) days, may be issued to a qualifying charitable nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The permit shall authorize the holder to sell alcoholic beverages for the limited purpose of raising funds for the organization during a live or silent auction that is conducted by the organization and that meets the following requirements: (i) the auction is conducted in an area of the state where the sale of alcoholic beverages is authorized; (ii) if the auction is conducted on the premises of an on-premises retailer's permit holder, then the alcoholic beverages to be auctioned must be stored separately from the alcoholic beverages sold, stored or served on the premises, must be removed from the premises immediately following the auction, and may not be consumed on the premises; (iii) the permit holder may not conduct more than two (2) auctions during a calendar year; (iv) the permit holder may not pay a commission or promotional fee to any person to arrange or conduct the auction.
(n) Event venue retailer's permit. An event venue retailer's permit shall authorize the holder thereof to purchase and resell alcoholic beverages, including native wines, for consumption on the premises during legal hours during events held on the licensed premises if food is being served at the event by a caterer who is not affiliated with or related to the permittee. The caterer must serve at least three (3) entrees. The permit may only be issued for venues that can accommodate two hundred (200) persons or more. The number of persons a venue may accommodate shall be determined by the local fire department and such determination shall be provided in writing and submitted along with all other documents required to be provided for an on-premises retailer's permit. The permittee must derive the majority of its revenue from event-related fees, including, but not limited to, admission fees or ticket sales for live entertainment in the building. "Event-related fees" do not include alcohol, beer or light wine sales or any fee which may be construed to cover the cost of alcohol, beer or light wine. This determination shall be made on a per event basis. An event may not last longer than two (2) consecutive days per week.
(o) Temporary theatre permit. A temporary theatre permit, not to exceed five (5) days, may be issued to a charitable nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and owns or operates a theatre facility that features plays and other theatrical performances and productions. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (5) of this section, the permit shall authorize the holder to sell alcoholic beverages, including native wines, to patrons of the theatre during performances and productions at the theatre facility for consumption during such performances and productions on the premises of the facility described in the permit. A temporary theatre permit holder shall obtain all alcoholic beverages from package retailers located in the county in which the permit is issued. Alcoholic beverages remaining in stock upon expiration of the temporary theatre 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.
(p) Charter ship operator's permit. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph (p), a charter ship operator's permit shall authorize the holder thereof and its employees to serve, monitor, store and otherwise control the serving and availability of alcoholic beverages to customers of the permit holder during private charters under contract provided by the permit holder. A charter ship operator's permit shall authorize such action by the permit holder and its employees only as to alcoholic beverages brought onto the permit holder's ship by customers of the permit holder as part of such a private charter. All such alcoholic beverages must be removed from the charter ship at the conclusion of each private charter. A charter ship operator's permit shall not authorize the permit holder to sell, charge for or otherwise supply alcoholic beverages to customers, except as authorized in this paragraph (p). For the purposes of this paragraph (p), "charter ship operator" means a common carrier that (i) is certified to carry at least one hundred fifty (150) passengers and/or provide overnight accommodations for at least fifty (50) passengers, (ii) operates only in the waters within the State of Mississippi, which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, and (iii) provides charters under contract for tours and trips in such waters.
(q) Distillery retailer's permit. The holder of a Class 1 manufacturer's permit may obtain a distillery retailer's permit. A distillery retailer's permit shall authorize the holder thereof to sell at retail alcoholic beverages by the sealed and unopened bottle from a retail location at the distillery for off-premises consumption. The holder may only sell product manufactured by the manufacturer at the distillery described in the permit. The holder shall not sell at retail more than ten percent (10%) of the alcoholic beverages produced annually at its distillery. The holder shall not make retail sales of more than two and twenty-five one-hundredths (2.25) liters, in the aggregate, of the alcoholic beverages produced at its distillery to any one (1) individual for consumption off the premises of the distillery within a twenty-four-hour period. The hours of sale shall be the same as those hours for package retailers under this chapter. The holder of a distillery retailer's permit is not required to purchase the alcoholic beverages authorized to be sold by this paragraph from the department's liquor distribution warehouse; however, if the holder does not purchase the alcoholic beverages from the department's liquor distribution warehouse, the holder shall pay to the department all taxes, fees and surcharges on the alcoholic beverages that are imposed upon the sale of alcoholic beverages shipped by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue. In addition to alcoholic beverages, the holder of a distillery retailer's permit may sell at retail promotional products from the same retail location, including shirts, hats, glasses, and other promotional products customarily sold by alcoholic beverage manufacturers.
(r) Festival Wine Permit. Any wine manufacturer or native wine producer permitted by Mississippi or any other state is eligible to obtain a Festival Wine Permit. This permit authorizes the entity to transport product manufactured by it to festivals held within the State of Mississippi and sell sealed, unopened bottles to festival participants. The holder of this permit may provide samples at no charge to participants. "Festival" means any event at which three (3) or more vendors are present at a location for the sale or distribution of goods. The holder of a Festival Wine Permit is not required to purchase the alcoholic beverages authorized to be sold by this paragraph from the department's liquor distribution warehouse. However, if the holder does not purchase the alcoholic beverages from the department's liquor distribution warehouse, the holder of this permit shall pay to the department all taxes, fees and surcharges on the alcoholic beverages sold at such festivals that are imposed upon the sale of alcoholic beverages shipped by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue. Additionally, the entity shall file all applicable reports and returns as prescribed by the department. This permit is issued per festival and provides authority to sell for two (2) consecutive days during the hours authorized for on-premises permittees' sales in that county or city. The holder of the permit shall be required to maintain all requirements set by Local Option Law for the service and sale of alcoholic beverages. This permit may be issued to entities participating in festivals at which a Class 1 temporary permit is in effect.
This paragraph (r) shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2023.
(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 department.
(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 department 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 department 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 or to the sale or storage of alcoholic beverages in a historic district that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a qualified resort area and is located in a municipality having a population greater than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the latest federal decennial census.
(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.
(5) (a) In addition to any other authority granted under this section, the holder of a permit issued under subsection (1)(c), (e), (f), (g), (l), (n) and/or (o) of this section may sell or otherwise provide alcoholic beverages and/or wine to a patron of the permit holder in the manner authorized in the permit and the patron may remove an open glass, cup or other container of the alcoholic beverage and/or wine from the licensed premises and may possess and consume the alcoholic beverage or wine outside of the licensed premises if: (i) the licensed premises is located within a leisure and recreation district created under Section 67-1-101 and (ii) the patron remains within the boundaries of the leisure and recreation district while in possession of the alcoholic beverage or wine.
(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow a person to bring any alcoholic beverages into a permitted premises except to the extent otherwise authorized by this chapter.
SECTION 10. Section 67-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-9. Any city in this state, having a population of not less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) according to the latest federal decennial census; or any city in this state having a population of not less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) according to the latest federal decennial census and located within three (3) miles of a city or county that permits the sale, receipt, storage and transportation for the purpose of sale of beer, light spirit product or light wine; or any city or town in this state having a population of not less than one thousand (1,000) according to the latest federal decennial census and located in a county that has no city or town with a population of more than two thousand five hundred (2,500); or any city, town or village that is a county seat and has voted to come out from under the dry law under Section 67-1-14; at an election held for the purpose, under the election laws applicable to such city, may either prohibit or permit, except as otherwise provided under Section 67-9-1, the sale and the receipt, storage and transportation for the purpose of sale of beer, light spirit product and light wine. An election to determine whether such sale shall be permitted in cities wherein its sale is prohibited by law shall be ordered by the city or town council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing body of such city or town for such city or town only, upon the presentation of a petition for such city or town to such governing board containing the names of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified voters of such city or town asking for such election. In like manner, an election to determine whether such sale shall be prohibited in cities wherein its sale is permitted by law shall be ordered by the city council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing board of such city for such city only, upon the presentation of a petition to such governing board containing the names of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified voters of such city asking for such election. No election on either question shall be held by any one (1) city more often than once in five (5) years.
Thirty (30) days' notice shall be given to the qualified electors of such city or town in the manner prescribed by law upon the question of either permitting or prohibiting such sale, and the notice shall contain a statement of the question to be voted on at the election. The tickets to be used in the election shall have the following words printed thereon: "For the legal sale of light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight, light spirit product of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight, and beer of an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent (8%) by weight"; and the words "Against the legal sale of light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight, light spirit product of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight, and beer of an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent (8%) by weight," next below. In making up his or her ticket the voter shall make a cross (X) opposite the words of his choice.
If in the election a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election shall vote "For the legal sale of light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight, light spirit product of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight, and beer of an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent (8%) by weight," then the city or town council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing body shall pass the necessary order permitting the legal sale of such light wine, light spirit product and beer in such city or town. If in the election a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election shall vote "Against the legal sale of light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight, light spirit product of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight, and beer of an alcoholic content of not more than eight percent (8%) by weight," then the city council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing body shall pass the necessary order prohibiting the sale of such light wine, light spirit product and beer in such city.
All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this section are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict only, this section being cumulative and supplementary.
SECTION 11. Section 67-3-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-17. (1) Any person desiring to engage in any business taxable under Sections 27-71-303 through 27-71-317, Mississippi Code of 1972, either as a retailer, or as a wholesaler or distributor, or as a manufacturer, of light wines, light spirit products or beer, shall file with the commissioner an application for a permit allowing him to engage in such business. The application for a permit shall contain a statement showing the name of the business, and if a partnership, firm, association or limited liability company, the name of each partner or member, and if a corporation the names of two (2) principal officers, the post office address, and the nature of business in which engaged. In case any business is conducted at two (2) or more separate places, a separate permit for each place of business shall be required. The commissioner shall prescribe the form of the application and designate who is required to sign the application. The application shall be signed under penalty of perjury.
(2) The application shall include a statement that the applicant will not, except as otherwise authorized in this chapter, allow any alcoholic beverages as defined in Section 67-1-5, any beer having an alcoholic content of more than eight percent (8%) by weight, any spirit product having an alcoholic content of more than four percent (4%) by weight, or any wine having an alcoholic content of more than five percent (5%) by weight, to be kept, stored or secreted in or on the premises described in such permit or license, and that the applicant will not otherwise violate any law of this state, or knowingly allow any other person to violate any such law, while in or on such premises.
(3) Each application or filing made under this section shall include the social security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 12. Section 67-3-28, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-28. (1) Any person desiring to engage in business as a brewpub shall file with the commissioner, along with the application required by Section 67-3-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, a certificate issued by a licensed testing laboratory indicating that such laboratory has tested a sample of the applicant's beer, light spirit product or light wine, or a combination thereof, and that the alcohol content of such sample of beer does not exceed eight percent (8%) by weight, and the alcohol content of such sample of light spirit product does not exceed four percent (4%) by weight, and the alcoholic content of such sample of light wine does not exceed five percent (5%) by weight.
(2) Every brewpub shall be required to submit to random testing by the commissioner to determine whether any beer being manufactured, sold, kept, stored or secreted by the license holder contains an alcohol content greater than eight percent (8%) by weight, and light spirit product being manufactured, sold, kept, stored or secreted by the license holder contains an alcoholic content greater than four percent (4%) by weight, and any light wine being manufactured, sold, kept, stored or secreted by the license holder contains an alcoholic content greater than five percent (5%) by weight. The commissioner shall establish and administer testing standards and procedures to be used in such random testing. The brewpub licensee shall be responsible for all costs incurred by the commissioner in conducting random testing under this section.
SECTION 13. Section 67-3-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-47. (1) A person having a permit to manufacture or brew beer under this chapter and who operates a brewery may offer and provide limited amounts of beer on the premises of the brewery for the purpose of tasting or sampling, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The beer provided for tasting or sampling must be manufactured in the State of Mississippi by the holder of the permit;
(b) The beer may be provided only to persons on the premises of the brewery at no cost and for consumption on the premises of the brewery;
(c) The beer may be provided for tasting or sampling between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on the same day and only in conjunction with a structured tour of the brewery and related facilities which must include the entire manufacturing and brewing processes and methods used at the brewery;
(d) No one under twenty-one (21) years of age may participate in the tasting or sampling, and a sign indicating that prohibition shall be placed in a visible location at the entrance to the area where the tasting or sampling will be conducted;
(e) An individual size sample of beer shall not exceed six (6) ounces, and no more than six (6) samples of beer may be provided to an individual within a twenty-four-hour period; and
(f) The holder of the license operating the brewery shall keep an accurate accounting of the various beers provided and consumed as samples.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the term 'brewery' means and has the same definition as that term has in 26 USCS 5402.
SECTION 14. Section 67-3-48.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-48.1. (1) In the event a small craft brewery is acquired by an entity that manufactures light wine, light spirit product or beer that does not fall within the definition of the term "small craft brewery," the entity that acquired the small craft brewery may continue to operate the brewery as a small craft brewery for as long as the acquired facility meets the definition of the term "small craft brewery"; however, the limit in Section 67-3-3 on the amount of barrels of light wine, light spirit product or beer that a small craft brewery may produce shall not apply to light wine, light spirit product or beer that is not produced by the acquired small craft brewery.
(2) In the event a small craft brewery acquires an entity that manufactures light wine, light spirit product or beer that does not fall within the definition of the term "small craft brewery," the small craft brewery that acquired the entity may continue to operate as a small craft brewery for as long as the brewery meets the definition of the term "small craft brewery." The light wine, light spirit product or beer produced by the entity that is acquired by a small craft brewery shall not apply to the limit in Section 67-3-3 on the amount of light wine, light spirit product or beer that the small craft brewery may produce.
(3) A small craft brewery described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section may continue to sell at retail brands the small craft brewery produces on its premises at all locations at which it was selling the brands at retail at the time of the acquisition; however, the small craft brewery may not sell at retail brands produced by the entity that acquired it or by the entity it acquires, as the case may be.
SECTION 15. Section 67-3-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-3-53. In addition to any act declared to be unlawful by this chapter, or by Sections 27-71-301 through 27-71-347, and Sections 67-3-17, 67-3-27, 67-3-29 and 67-3-57, it shall be unlawful for the holder of a permit authorizing the sale of beer, light spirit product or light wine at retail or a small craft brewery selling light wine, light spirit product or beer at retail pursuant to Section 67-3-48 or for the employee of the holder of such a permit or the employee of such a brewery:
(a) To sell or give to be consumed in or upon any licensed premises or in or upon the premises of a small craft brewery any beer, light spirit product or light wine between the hours of midnight and seven o'clock the following morning or during any time the licensed premises may be required to be closed by municipal ordinance or order of the board of supervisors; however, in areas where the sale of alcoholic beverages is legal under the provisions of the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law and the hours for selling those alcoholic beverages have been extended beyond midnight for on-premises permittees under Section 67-1-37, the hours for selling beer, light spirit products or light wines are likewise extended in areas where the sale of beer, light spirit products and light wines is legal in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(b) To sell, give or furnish any beer, light spirit product or light wine to any person visibly or noticeably intoxicated, or to any habitual drunkard, or to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.
(c) To permit in the premises any lewd, immoral or improper entertainment, conduct or practices.
(d) To permit loud, boisterous or disorderly conduct of any kind upon the 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 in which the business is located.
(e) To permit persons of ill repute, known criminals, prostitutes or minors to frequent the licensed premises or the premises of the small craft brewery, except minors accompanied by parents or guardians, or under proper supervision.
(f) To permit or suffer illegal gambling or the operation of illegal games of chance upon the licensed premises or the premises of the small craft brewery.
(g) To receive, possess or sell on the licensed premises or, except as otherwise authorized by this chapter, on the premises of the small craft brewery any beverage of any kind or character containing more than five percent (5%) of alcohol by weight except any beer containing not more than eight percent (8%) of alcohol by weight, unless the licensee also possesses an on-premises or manufacturer's permit under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.
(h) To accept as full or partial payment for any product any coupons that are redeemed directly or indirectly from a manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor of light wine, light spirit product or beer.
SECTION 16. Section 67-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
67-1-5. For the purposes of this chapter and unless otherwise required by the context:
(a) "Alcoholic beverage" means any alcoholic liquid, including wines of more than five percent (5%) of alcohol by weight, capable of being consumed as a beverage by a human being, but shall not include light wine, light spirit product and beer, as defined in Section 67-3-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, but shall include native wines. The words "alcoholic beverage" shall not include ethyl alcohol manufactured or distilled solely for fuel purposes or beer of an alcoholic content of more than eight percent (8%) by weight if the beer is legally manufactured in this state for sale in another state.
(b) "Alcohol" means the product of distillation of any fermented liquid, whatever the origin thereof, and includes synthetic ethyl alcohol, but does not include denatured alcohol or wood alcohol.
(c) "Distilled spirits" means any beverage containing more than four percent (4%) of alcohol by weight produced by distillation of fermented grain, starch, molasses or sugar, including dilutions and mixtures of these beverages.
(d) "Wine" or "vinous liquor" means any product obtained from the alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe grapes, fruits, honey or berries and made in accordance with the revenue laws of the United States.
(e) "Person" means and includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association or other legal entity whatsoever.
(f) "Manufacturer" means any person engaged in manufacturing, distilling, rectifying, blending or bottling any alcoholic beverage.
(g) "Wholesaler" means any person, other than a manufacturer, engaged in distributing or selling any alcoholic beverage at wholesale for delivery within or without this state when such sale is for the purpose of resale by the purchaser.
(h) "Retailer" means any person who sells, distributes, or offers for sale or distribution, any alcoholic beverage for use or consumption by the purchaser and not for resale.
(i) "State Tax Commission," "commission" or "department" means the Department of Revenue of the State of Mississippi, which shall create a division in its organization to be known as the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Any reference to the commission or the department hereafter means the powers and duties of the Department of Revenue with reference to supervision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.
(j) "Division" means the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Department of Revenue.
(k) "Municipality" means any incorporated city or town of this state.
(l) "Hotel" means an establishment within a municipality, or within a qualified resort area approved as such by the department, where, in consideration of payment, food and lodging are habitually furnished to travelers and wherein are located at least twenty (20) adequately furnished and completely separate sleeping rooms with adequate facilities that persons usually apply for and receive as overnight accommodations. Hotels in towns or cities of more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) population are similarly defined except that they must have fifty (50) or more sleeping rooms. Any such establishment described in this paragraph with less than fifty (50) beds shall operate one or more regular dining rooms designed to be constantly frequented by customers each day. When used in this chapter, the word "hotel" shall also be construed to include any establishment that meets the definition of "bed and breakfast inn" as provided in this section.
(m) "Restaurant" means:
(i) A place which is regularly and in a bona fide manner used and kept open for the serving of meals to guests for compensation, which has suitable seating facilities for guests, and which has suitable kitchen facilities connected therewith for cooking an assortment of foods and meals commonly ordered at various hours of the day; the service of such food as sandwiches and salads only shall not be deemed in compliance with this requirement. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no place shall qualify as a restaurant under this chapter unless twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the revenue derived from such place shall be from the preparation, cooking and serving of meals and not from the sale of beverages, or unless the value of food given to and consumed by customers is equal to twenty-five percent (25%) or more of total revenue; or
(ii) Any privately owned business located in a building in a historic district where the district is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, where the building has a total occupancy rating of not less than one thousand (1,000) and where the business regularly utilizes ten thousand (10,000) square feet or more in the building for live entertainment, including not only the stage, lobby or area where the audience sits and/or stands, but also any other portion of the building necessary for the operation of the business, including any kitchen area, bar area, storage area and office space, but excluding any area for parking. In addition to the other requirements of this subparagraph, the business must also serve food to guests for compensation within the building and derive the majority of its revenue from event-related fees, including, but not limited to, admission fees or ticket sales to live entertainment in the building, and from the rental of all or part of the facilities of the business in the building to another party for a specific event or function.
(n) "Club" means an association or a corporation:
(i) Organized or created under the laws of this state for a period of five (5) years prior to July 1, 1966;
(ii) Organized not primarily for pecuniary profit but for the promotion of some common object other than the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages;
(iii) Maintained by its members through the payment of annual dues;
(iv) Owning, hiring or leasing a building or space in a building of such extent and character as may be suitable and adequate for the reasonable and comfortable use and accommodation of its members and their guests;
(v) The affairs and management of which are conducted by a board of directors, board of governors, executive committee, or similar governing body chosen by the members at a regular meeting held at some periodic interval; and
(vi) No member, officer, agent or employee of which is paid, or directly or indirectly receives, in the form of a salary or other compensation any profit from the distribution or sale of alcoholic beverages to the club or to members or guests of the club beyond such salary or compensation as may be fixed and voted at a proper meeting by the board of directors or other governing body out of the general revenues of the club.
The department may, in its discretion, waive the five-year provision of this paragraph. In order to qualify under this paragraph, a club must file with the department, at the time of its application for a license under this chapter, two (2) copies of a list of the names and residences of its members and similarly file, within ten (10) days after the election of any additional member, his name and address. Each club applying for a license shall also file with the department at the time of the application a copy of its articles of association, charter of incorporation, bylaws or other instruments governing the business and affairs thereof.
(o) "Qualified resort area" means any area or locality outside of the limits of incorporated municipalities in this state commonly known and accepted as a place which regularly and customarily attracts tourists, vacationists and other transients because of its historical, scenic or recreational facilities or attractions, or because of other attributes which regularly and customarily appeal to and attract tourists, vacationists and other transients in substantial numbers; however, no area or locality shall so qualify as a resort area until it has been duly and properly approved as such by the department. The department may not approve an area as a qualified resort area after July 1, 2018, if any portion of such proposed area is located within two (2) miles of a convent or monastery that is located in a county traversed by Interstate 55 and U.S. Highway 98. A convent or monastery may waive such distance restrictions in favor of allowing approval by the department of an area as a qualified resort area. Such waiver shall be in written form from the owner, the governing body, or the appropriate officer of the convent or monastery having the authority to execute such a waiver, and the waiver shall be filed with and verified by the department before becoming effective.
(i) The department may approve an area or locality outside of the limits of an incorporated municipality that is in the process of being developed as a qualified resort area if such area or locality, when developed, can reasonably be expected to meet the requisites of the definition of the term "qualified resort area." In such a case, the status of qualified resort area shall not take effect until completion of the development.
(ii) The term includes any state park which is declared a resort area by the department; however, such declaration may only be initiated in a written request for resort area status made to the department by the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and no permit for the sale of any alcoholic beverage, as defined in this chapter, except an on-premises retailer's permit, shall be issued for a hotel, restaurant or bed and breakfast inn in such park.
(iii) The term includes:
1. The clubhouses associated with the state park golf courses at the Lefleur's Bluff State Park, the John Kyle State Park, the Percy Quin State Park and the Hugh White State Park;
2. The clubhouse and associated golf course, tennis courts and related facilities and swimming pool and related facilities where the golf course, tennis courts and related facilities and swimming pool and related facilities are adjacent to one or more planned residential developments and the golf course and all such developments collectively include at least seven hundred fifty (750) acres and at least four hundred (400) residential units;
3. Any facility located on property that is a game reserve with restricted access that consists of at least three thousand (3,000) contiguous acres with no public roads and that offers as a service hunts for a fee to overnight guests of the facility;
4. Any facility located on federal property surrounding a lake and designated as a recreational area by the United States Army Corps of Engineers that consists of at least one thousand five hundred (1,500) acres;
5. Any facility that is located in a municipality that is bordered by the Pearl River, traversed by Mississippi Highway 25, adjacent to the boundaries of the Jackson International Airport and is located in a county which has voted against coming out from under the dry law; however, any such facility may only be located in areas designated by the governing authorities of such municipality;
6. Any municipality with a population in excess of ten thousand (10,000) according to the latest federal decennial census that is located in a county that is bordered by the Pearl River and is not traversed by Interstate Highway 20, with a population in excess of forty-five thousand (45,000) according to the latest federal decennial census; however, the governing authorities of such a municipality may by ordinance:
a. Specify the hours of operation of facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale;
b. Specify the percentage of revenue that facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale must derive from the preparation, cooking and serving of meals and not from the sale of beverages;
c. Designate the areas in which facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale may be located;
7. The West Pearl Restaurant Tax District as defined in Chapter 912, Local and Private Laws of 2007;
8. a. Land that is located in any county in which Mississippi Highway 43 and Mississippi Highway 25 intersect and:
A. Owned by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, and/or
B. Located within the Reservoir Community District, zoned commercial, east of Old Fannin Road, north of Regatta Drive, south of Spillway Road, west of Hugh Ward Boulevard and accessible by Old Fannin Road, Spillway Road, Spann Drive and/or Lake Vista Place, and/or
C. Located within the Reservoir Community District, zoned commercial, west of Old Fannin Road, south of Spillway Road and extending to the boundary of the corporate limits of the City of Flowood, Mississippi;
b. The board of supervisors of such county, with respect to B and C of item 8.a., may by resolution or other order:
A. Specify the hours of operation of facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale,
B. Specify the percentage of revenue that facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale must derive from the preparation, cooking and serving of meals and not from the sale of beverages, and
C. Designate the areas in which facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale may be located;
9. Any facility located on property that is a game reserve with restricted access that consists of at least eight hundred (800) contiguous acres with no public roads, that offers as a service hunts for a fee to overnight guests of the facility, and has accommodations for at least fifty (50) overnight guests;
10. Any facility that:
a. Consists of at least six thousand (6,000) square feet being heated and cooled along with an additional adjacent area that consists of at least two thousand two hundred (2,200) square feet regardless of whether heated and cooled,
b. For a fee is used to host events such as weddings, reunions and conventions,
c. Provides lodging accommodations regardless of whether part of the facility and/or located adjacent to or in close proximity to the facility, and
d. Is located on property that consists of at least thirty (30) contiguous acres;
11. Any facility and related property:
a. Located on property that consists of at least one hundred twenty-five (125) contiguous acres and consisting of an eighteen (18) hole golf course, and/or located in a facility that consists of at least eight thousand (8,000) square feet being heated and cooled,
b. Used for the purpose of providing meals and hosting events, and
c. Used for the purpose of teaching culinary arts courses and/or turf management and grounds keeping courses, and/or outdoor recreation and leadership courses;
12. Any facility and related property that:
a. Consist of at least eight thousand (8,000) square feet being heated and cooled,
b. For a fee is used to host events,
c. Is used for the purpose of culinary arts courses, and/or outdoor recreation and leadership courses;
13. The clubhouse and associated golf course where the golf course is adjacent to one or more residential developments and the golf course and all such developments collectively include at least two hundred (200) acres and at least one hundred fifty (150) residential units and are located a. in a county that has voted against coming out from under the dry law; and b. outside of but in close proximity to a municipality in such county which has voted under Section 67-1-14, after January 1, 2013, to come out from under the dry law;
14. The clubhouse and associated eighteen (18) hole golf course located in a municipality traversed by Interstate Highway 55 and U.S. Highway 51 that has voted to come out from under the dry law;
15. Land that is planned for mixed use development and consists of at least two hundred (200) contiguous acres with one or more planned residential developments collectively planned to include at least two hundred (200) residential units when completed and which land is located:
a. In a county that has voted to come out from under the dry law,
b. Outside the corporate limits of any municipality in such county and adjacent to or in close proximity to a golf course located in a municipality in such county, and
c. Within one (1) mile of a state institution of higher learning;
16. Any facility with a capacity of five hundred (500) people or more, to be used as a venue for private events, on a tract of land in the Southwest Quarter of Section 33, Township 2 South, Range 7 East, of a county where U.S. Highway 45 and U.S. Highway 72 intersect and that has not voted to come out from under the dry law;
17. One hundred five (105) contiguous acres, more or less, located in Hinds County, Mississippi, and in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, whereon are constructed a variety of buildings, improvements, grounds or objects for the purpose of holding events thereon to promote agricultural and industrial development in Mississippi;
18. Land that is owned by a state institution of higher learning and:
a. Located entirely within a county that has elected by majority vote not to permit the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of light wine and beer pursuant to Section 67-3-7, and
b. Adjacent to but outside the incorporated limits of a municipality that has elected by majority vote to permit the sale, receipt, storage and transportation of light wine and beer pursuant to Section 67-3-9.
If any portion of the land described in this item 18 has been declared a qualified resort area by the department before July 1, 2020, then that qualified resort area shall be incorporated into the qualified resort area created by this item 18;
19. Any facility and related property:
a. Used as a flea market or similar venue during a weekend (Saturday and Sunday) immediately preceding the first Monday of a month and having an annual average of at least one thousand (1,000) visitors for each such weekend and five hundred (500) vendors for Saturday of each such weekend, and
b. Located in a county that has not voted to come out from under the dry law and outside of but in close proximity to a municipality located in such county and which municipality has voted to come out from under the dry law;
20. Blocks 1, 2 and 3 of the original town square in any municipality with a population in excess of one thousand five hundred (1,500) according to the latest federal decennial census and which is located in:
a. A county traversed by Interstate 55 and Interstate 20, and
b. A judicial district that has not voted to come out from under the dry law;
21. Any municipality with a population in excess of two thousand (2,000) according to the latest federal decennial census and in which is located a part of White's Creek Lake and in which U.S. Highway 82 intersects with Mississippi Highway 9 and located in a county that is partially bordered on one (1) side by the Big Black River; however, the governing authorities of such a municipality may by ordinance:
a. Specify the hours of operation of facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale;
b. Specify the percentage of revenue that facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale must derive from the preparation, cooking and serving of meals and not from the sale of beverages; and
c. Designate the areas in which facilities that offer alcoholic beverages for sale may be located.
22. A restaurant located on a two-acre tract adjacent to a five-hundred-fifty-acre lake in the northeast corner of a county traversed by U.S. Interstate 55 and U.S. Highway 84.
23. Any tracts of land in Oktibbeha County, situated east of Mississippi Boulevard, north of Coliseum Boulevard and east of Montgomery Hill Road, and not located on the property of a state institution of higher learning.
The status of these municipalities, districts, clubhouses, facilities, golf courses and areas described in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (o) as qualified resort areas does not require any declaration of same by the department.
(p) "Native wine" means any product, produced in Mississippi for sale, having an alcohol content not to exceed twenty-one percent (21%) by weight and made in accordance with revenue laws of the United States, which shall be obtained primarily from the alcoholic fermentation of the juice of ripe grapes, fruits, berries, honey or vegetables grown and produced in Mississippi; provided that bulk, concentrated or fortified wines used for blending may be produced without this state and used in producing native wines. The department shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to permit a producer to import such bulk and/or fortified wines into this state for use in blending with native wines without payment of any excise tax that would otherwise accrue thereon.
(q) "Native winery" means any place or establishment within the State of Mississippi where native wine is produced, in whole or in part, for sale.
(r) "Bed and breakfast inn" means an establishment within a municipality where in consideration of payment, breakfast and lodging are habitually furnished to travelers and wherein are located not less than eight (8) and not more than nineteen (19) adequately furnished and completely separate sleeping rooms with adequate facilities, that persons usually apply for and receive as overnight accommodations; however, such restriction on the minimum number of sleeping rooms shall not apply to establishments on the National Register of Historic Places. No place shall qualify as a bed and breakfast inn under this chapter unless on the date of the initial application for a license under this chapter more than fifty percent (50%) of the sleeping rooms are located in a structure formerly used as a residence.
(s) "Board" shall refer to the Board of Tax Appeals of the State of Mississippi.
(t) "Spa facility" means an establishment within a municipality or qualified resort area and owned by a hotel where, in consideration of payment, patrons receive from licensed professionals a variety of private personal care treatments such as massages, facials, waxes, exfoliation and hairstyling.
(u) "Art studio or gallery" means an establishment within a municipality or qualified resort area that is in the sole business of allowing patrons to view and/or purchase paintings and other creative artwork.
(v) "Cooking school" means an establishment within a municipality or qualified resort area and owned by a nationally recognized company that offers an established culinary education curriculum and program where, in consideration of payment, patrons are given scheduled professional group instruction on culinary techniques. For purposes of this paragraph, the definition of cooking school shall not include schools or classes offered by grocery stores, convenience stores or drugstores.
(w) "Campus" means property owned by a public school district, community or junior college, college or university in this state where educational courses are taught, school functions are held, tests and examinations are administered or academic course credits are awarded; however, the term shall not include any "restaurant" or "hotel" that is located on property owned by a community or junior college, college or university in this state, and is operated by a third party who receives all revenue generated from food and alcoholic beverage sales.
SECTION 17. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2021.