MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2005 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Doxey

Senate Bill 2228

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-3-3, 67-3-1, 67-3-5, 67-3-7, 67-3-9, 67-3-13, 67-3-15, 67-3-17, 67-3-19, 67-3-25, 67-3-27, 67-3-29, 67-3-41, 67-3-45, 67-3-49, 67-3-51, 67-3-53, 67-3-54, 67-3-57, 67-3-59, 67-3-61, 67-3-63, 67-3-65, 67-3-67, 67-3-70, 67-3-73, 67-3-74, 67-1-5, 67-1-7, 67-1-9, 67-1-13, 67-1-37, 67-1-41, 67-1-43, 67-1-45, 67-1-51, 67-1-73, 67-1-77, 67-5-5, 67-5-9, 67-5-11 AND 67-5-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT WINE WITH AN ALCOHOL CONTENT OF MORE THAN 5% BY WEIGHT SHALL BE SOLD, MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS BEER AND LIGHT WINE, TO REMOVE THE SALE DISTRIBUTION AND MANUFACTURE OF WINE WITH AN ALCOHOL CONTENT OF MORE THAN 5% BY WEIGHT FROM THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-71-5, 27-71-7, 27-71-21, 27-71-301, 27-71-303, 27-71-307, 27-71-311, 27-71-315, 27-71-317, 27-71-325, 27-71-327, 27-71-333, 27-71-335 AND 27-71-345, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. 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 Chairman of the State Tax Commission 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) "Manufacturer" and "retailer" include brewpubs licensed pursuant to Article 3, Chapter 71, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, unless otherwise clearly provided; * * *

(d) "Beer" means a malt beverage as defined in the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and any rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such act with an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight;

(e) "Light wine" means any product obtained from the alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe grapes, fruits or berries and made in accordance with the revenue laws of the United States with an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight;

(f) "Wine" means any product obtained from the alcoholic fermentation of the juice of sound, ripe grapes, fruits or berries and made in accordance with the revenue laws of the United States with an alcoholic content of more than five percent (5%) by weight; and

(g) "Native wine" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 67-5-5.

SECTION 2. Section 67-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-1. The purpose of this chapter is to legalize the manufacture and sale within this state of * * * beer, light wine and wine, as defined in Section 67-3-3, and to regulate the business of manufacturing and of selling such beer, light wine and wine * * *.

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

67-3-5. It shall be lawful, subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter, in this state to transport, store, sell, distribute, possess, receive, and/or manufacture * * * beer, light wine and wine * * *, and it is hereby declared that it is the legislative intent that this chapter privileges the lawful sale and manufacture within this state of such * * * beer, light wine and wine. In determining if a wine product is "light wine," or contains an alcoholic content of more than five percent (5%) by weight, * * * the alcoholic content of such wine product shall be subject to the same permitted tolerance as is allowed by the labeling requirements for light wine provided for in Section 27-71-509.

SECTION 4. Section 67-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-7. (1) (a) If any county, at an election held for the purpose under the election laws of the state, shall by a majority vote of the duly qualified electors voting in the election determine that the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of * * * beer, light wine and wine * * * shall not be permitted in the county, then the same shall not be permitted therein except as authorized under Section 67-9-1 and as may be otherwise authorized in this section. An election to determine whether the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of such beverages shall be excluded from any county in the state, shall on a petition of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified electors of the county, be ordered by the board of supervisors thereof, for the county only. No election on the question shall be held in any one county more often than once in five (5) years.

(b) In counties which have elected, or may elect by a majority vote of the duly qualified electors voting in the election, that the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of * * * beer, light wine or wine * * * shall not be permitted in the county, an election may be held in the same manner as the election * * * provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection on the question of whether or not the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of such beverages shall be permitted in the county. The election shall be ordered by the board of supervisors of the county on a petition of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified electors of the county. No election on this question can be ordered more often than once in five (5) years.

(2) Nothing in this section shall make it unlawful to possess beer, light wine or wine, as defined in Section 67-3-3, in any municipality which has heretofore or which may hereafter vote in an election, pursuant to Section 67-3-9, in which a majority of the qualified electors vote in favor of permitting the sale and the receipt, storage and transportation for the purpose of sale of beer or wine as defined herein.

(3) Nothing in this section shall make it unlawful to:

(a) Possess or consume * * * beer, light wine or wine at a qualified resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5;

(b) Sell, distribute and transport * * * beer, light wine or wine to a qualified resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5;

(c) Sell * * * beer, light wine or wine at a qualified resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5 if such * * * beer, light wine or wine is sold by a person with a permit to engage in the business as a retailer of light wine or beer.

(4) The possession and dispensation of wine by an authorized representative of any church for the purpose of conducting any bona fide rite or religious ceremony conducted by the church shall not be prohibited by this chapter.

(5) Notwithstanding an election prohibiting the sale of beer, light wine or wine in a political subdivision, the holder of a native wine producer's permit or a native wine retailer's permit is allowed to continue to operate under the permits and to renew the permits. Possession of native wines and personal property related to the activities of the native wine permit holder which would otherwise be unlawful under this chapter shall be allowed subject to regulations of the commissioner.

SECTION 5. Section 67-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended 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 census, at an election held for the purpose, under the election laws applicable to the 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 wine or 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 council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing body of the city for the city only, upon the presentation of a petition for the city to the governing board containing the names of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified voters of the city 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 the city for the city only, upon the presentation of a petition to the governing board containing the names of twenty percent (20%) of the duly qualified voters of the city asking for such election. No election on either question shall be held by any one city more often than once in five (5) years.

Thirty (30) days' notice shall be given to the qualified electors of the city in the manner prescribed by law upon the question of either permitting or prohibiting such sale. The notice shall contain a statement of the question to be voted on at the election. The tickets to be used in said election shall have the following words printed thereon: "For the legal sale of wine and the legal sale of beer or light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight"; and the words "Against the legal sale of wine and the legal sale of beer or light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight," next below. In making up his 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 wine and the legal sale of beer or light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) by weight," then the city council or mayor and board of aldermen or other governing body shall pass the necessary order permitting the legal sale of * * * beer, light wine and wine in the city. If in the election a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election shall vote "Against the legal sale of wine and the legal sale of beer or light wine of an alcoholic content of not more than five percent (5%) 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 * * * beer, light wine and wine in the city.

All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this section are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict only, this section being cumulative and supplementary.

SECTION 6. Section 67-3-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-13. (1) Except as otherwise provided herein and as authorized under this section and Section 67-9-1, in any county which has at any time since February 26, 1934, elected, or which may hereafter elect, to prohibit the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of wine and beer, of an alcoholic content of not more than four percent (4%) by weight in the county, it is hereby declared to be unlawful to possess such beverages therein. In any county which, after July 1, 1998, elects to prohibit the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of * * * beer, light wine and wine * * * in such county, it is hereby declared to be unlawful to possess such beer therein. Any person found possessing any beer, light wine or wine of any quantity whatsoever in the county shall, on conviction, be imprisoned not more than ninety (90) days or fined not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or be both so fined and imprisoned.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, in any county or municipality in which the transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of light wine and beer is prohibited, it shall not be unlawful for a permitted wholesaler or distributor to possess light wine and beer when * * * light wine and beer is held in the county solely for the purpose of storage and for distribution to other counties and municipalities in which possession of such beverages is lawful.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, in any county in which transportation, storage, sale, distribution, receipt and/or manufacture of light wine and beer is prohibited, it shall not be unlawful:

(a) To receive, store, possess or consume light wine or beer at a resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5;

(b) To distribute and transport light wine or beer to a resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5.

SECTION 7. Section 67-3-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-15. Any person who shall brew or manufacture or sell any beer, light wine or wine without first having secured a permit and/or license from the commissioner authorizing the brewing or manufacture or sale of beer, light wine or wine, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one (1) year, or both, in the discretion of the court. Any person so convicted may not apply for any permit or license issued by the commissioner until five (5) years have elapsed from the date of such conviction.

SECTION 8. Section 67-3-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-17. 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 * * * beer, light wine, wine or native wine, shall file with the commissioner an application for a permit allowing him to engage in such business. The application for a permit shall be filed on a blank to be furnished by the commissioner for that purpose, and shall contain a statement showing the name of the business, and if a partnership, firm or association, 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 applicant, at the time of filing such application for a permit or license to engage in such business, shall also file with the commissioner an oath, duly subscribed and sworn to by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths, that he will not allow any intoxicating liquor, other than beer, light wine or wine as defined by this chapter, * * * to be kept, stored or secreted in or on the premises described in the 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 the premises.

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 9. 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine, 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 the person owned or operated the business on the premises for which a permit is sought or allow the person to have any financial interest in the business of the applicant, until the 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 the 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 the corporation, although these requirements shall apply to any officer, director, or stockholder who is also the manager of the licensed premises or who is engaged or employed at the licensed premises. The designated manager of the licensed premises must be a resident of the State of Mississippi.

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 10. Section 67-3-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-25. Any permit issued authorizing the sale of * * * beer, light wines or wines for consumption shall be construed to authorize the sale of such * * * beer, light wines or wines by the bottle, by the glass or by draught, and in or from the original package.

The commissioner is authorized to establish, in his discretion, a common date for the expiration of permits for each county or municipality or for all counties or municipalities in which the sale of * * * beer, light wines or wines is permitted by law and to issue permits for the period of time between the date of application and the next expiration date.

All permits shall show date of issuance and shall be renewed annually, except as provided above, on the first day of the same month in the following year.

SECTION 11. Section 67-3-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-27. Before any person shall engage in the business of manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer of * * * beer, light wines or wines, he shall apply to the commissioner for a license to engage in such business, and shall pay to the commissioner the specific tax imposed by Section 27-71-303, for the privilege of engaging in such business. The commissioner upon receipt of such tax shall issue to the person a privilege license to engage in or continue in such business for a period of time not to exceed one (1) year. No such license shall be issued to the applicant unless the applicant shall have obtained from the commissioner a permit as required in Section 67-3-17. A brewpub shall obtain all necessary federal licenses and permits prior to obtaining any license under this chapter.

All privilege licenses issued under the provisions of this section shall be renewed annually on or before the first day of the month in which the current license expires.

SECTION 12. Section 67-3-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-29. (1) The commissioner shall revoke any permit granted by authority of this chapter to any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or the revenue laws of this state relating to engaging in transporting, storing, selling, distributing, possessing, receiving or manufacturing of * * * beers, light wines or wines, or any person who shall hereafter be convicted of the unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor, or any person who shall allow or permit any form of illegal gambling or immorality on the premises described in the permit. The commissioner shall not revoke or suspend a permit of a retailer for the sale of * * * beer, light wine or wine to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years until there has been a conviction of the permit holder or an employee of the permit holder for the violation.

(2) If any person exercising any privilege taxable under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall willfully neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of such chapter, or any rules or regulations promulgated by the commissioner under authority of such chapter, or the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall be authorized to revoke the permit theretofore issued to the person, after giving to the person ten (10) days notice of the intention of the commissioner to revoke the permit. The commissioner may, however, suspend the permit instead of revoking it if, in his opinion, sufficient cause is shown for a suspension rather than revocation. Any person whose permit shall have been revoked by the commissioner shall be thereafter prohibited from exercising any privilege under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, for a period of two (2) years from the date of the revocation. The commissioner may, however, for good cause shown, grant a new permit upon such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe. Any person whose permit shall have been suspended by the commissioner shall be prohibited from exercising any privilege under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, during the period of the suspension. Failure of the person to comply with the terms of the suspension shall be cause for revocation of his permit, in addition to the other penalties provided by law.

(3) In addition to the reasons specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner 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 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

SECTION 13. Section 67-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-41. Sections 67-3-31 through 67-3-41 and Section 67-3-53 are declared to be cumulative, amendatory, and supplemental to any and all other acts and laws of this state pertaining to the governing of the sale and distribution of * * * beers, light wines or wines as contained in Sections 27-71-301 through 27-71-347, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Sections 67-3-17, 67-3-23, 67-3-27, 67-3-29(2), 67-3-55 and 67-3-57.

SECTION 14. Section 67-3-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-45. No manufacturer, distributor or wholesale dealer to whom or to which this chapter applies shall:

(a) Make any loan, directly or indirectly, or furnish any fixtures of any kind, directly or indirectly, to any retail dealer in * * * beers, light wines or wines;

(b) Have any interest, direct or indirect, in the business of or in the furnishings or fixtures or in the premises used by any * * * retail dealer in connection with his or its business;

(d) Sell * * * beer, light wines or wines to any * * * retail dealer on credit.

This section shall not apply to a brewpub licensed pursuant to Article 3, Chapter 71, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 15. Section 67-3-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-49. It shall be unlawful for any brewer or manufacturer or distributor or wholesale dealer of or in * * * beer, light wines or wines to manufacture or knowingly bring upon his premises or keep thereon any beer, light wine or wine, except beer or wine as defined in Section 67-3-3, or any distilled spirits of any alcoholic content whatsoever. Any person that shall add to or mix with any beer 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 and/or beer manufactured at a brewpub complies with the provisions of this section.

SECTION 16. Section 67-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-51. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, or offer to sell, or keep for sale any bottled beer, bottled light wine or bottled wine except * * * in the original bottle or in the original package containing bottles, each of which bottles shall bear the original label and the full name of the brewer or manufacturer of the contents of the bottle, both on the label and on the cap or cork of the bottle in the case of beer, and on the label only in the case of light wine or wine.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, or offer for sale, or keep for sale any beer, light wine or wine in the original package or packages unless each * * * original package (whether barrel or other container, and whether containing liquor in bottles or otherwise) shall have plainly stamped on the container or label for each * * * container the full name of the manufacturer of the liquor therein contained.

It shall be unlawful for any person to sell on draught any beer or light wine unless it is drawn from the original barrel or other container, and the container shall have plainly stamped on each end thereof the full name of the manufacturer of the beer or light wine.

SECTION 17. Section 67-3-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended 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 wine or wine at retail or for the employee of the holder of * * * a permit:

(a) To sell or give to be consumed in or upon any licensed premises any beer, light wine or 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 * * * beer, light wines and wines have been extended beyond midnight for on-premises permittees under Section 67-1-37, the hours for selling beer, light wines or wines are likewise extended in areas where the sale of beer, light wines and wine is legal in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(b) To sell, give or furnish any beer, light wine or wine to any person visibly or noticeably intoxicated, or to any insane person, or to any habitual drunkard, or to any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years.

(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 them 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, 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.

(g) To receive, possess or sell on the licensed premises any beverage of any kind or character other than beer, light wine or wine as defined in this chapter unless the licensee also possesses an on-premises permit under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law.

SECTION 18. Section 67-3-54, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-54. (1) A person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but under the age of twenty-one (21) years may possess and consume light wine or beer with the consent of his parent or legal guardian in the presence of his parent or legal guardian, and it shall not be unlawful for the parent, legal guardian or spouse of the person to furnish light wine or beer to the person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age.

(2) A person who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and who is serving in the armed services of the United States may lawfully possess and consume light wine or beer on military property where the consumption of light wine or beer is allowed.

(3) A person who is under twenty-one (21) years of age shall not be deemed to unlawfully possess or furnish * * * beer, light wine or wine, if in the scope of his employment the person:

(a) Clears or buses tables that have glasses or other containers that contain or did contain * * * beer, light wine or wine;

(b) Waits on tables by taking orders for * * * beer, light wine or wine; or

SECTION 19. Section 67-3-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-57. It shall be unlawful for any retailer to possess, sell or offer to sell, or to possess for purpose of sale, any * * * beer, light wine or wine at his place of business before securing a permit required by this chapter.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, sell or offer to sell any * * * beer, light wine or wine at his place of business after revocation of his permit or to purchase, to sell or offer to sell any * * * beer, light wine or wine during the period of suspension of his permit.

SECTION 20. Section 67-3-59, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-59. Except as * * * provided in this paragraph, sales by wholesalers, distributors or manufacturers to persons who do not hold valid permits are unlawful; and any wholesaler, distributor or manufacturer making the sales, or who sells any beer, light wine, or wine on which the tax provided by law has not been paid, shall, in addition to any other fines, penalties and forfeitures, be subject to a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each * * * sale. If all other applicable taxes are paid, this penalty will not apply to the following: sales to employees of the wholesaler; sales to nonprofit charitable and civic organizations for special fund raising events provided that the beer, light wine or wine is not resold; sales to affiliated member associations.

The commissioner may assess the penalty by giving notice by certified or registered mail, demanding payment within ten (10) days from date of delivery of the notice. Upon receipt of the notice, a wholesaler, distributor or manufacturer may petition the commissioner for a hearing to show cause why the penalty should not be assessed. The petition shall be granted and shall stay the collection procedure until a ruling is made as a result of the hearing. After the hearing, the commissioner shall notify the wholesaler, distributor or manufacturer of his decision by demanding payment or by abating all or a part of the penalty assessed.

The proceeds of all penalties shall be deposited by the commissioner with the other monies collected by him and shall be disposed of as provided by law.

SECTION 21. Section 67-3-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-61. Every railroad company, express company, airplane company, motor transportation company, steamboat company, or other transportation company, or any person that shall transport into, from place to place within, or out of this state any * * * beer, light wine or wine, whether brewed or manufactured within this state or outside of this state, when requested by the commissioner, shall furnish him with a duplicate of the bill of lading covering the receipt for the beer, light wine or wine, showing the name of the brewer or manufacturer or distributor, and the name and address of the consignor and of the consignee, and the date when and place where received, and the destination and the quantity of * * * beer, light wine or wine received from the manufacturer or brewer or other consignor for shipment from any point within or without this state to any point within this state.

Any * * * company or person so transporting any * * * beer, light wine or wine that shall fail to comply with the requirements of this section, shall forfeit and pay to the State of Mississippi the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each * * * failure, to be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction. The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to sue in his own name, on the relation and for the use of the State of Mississippi, for * * * recovery.

SECTION 22. Section 67-3-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-63. The commissioner shall cause a record to be kept of the names and places of business of all persons engaged in the brewing of beer, of all persons engaged in the manufacture of light wines and wines, and of all persons engaged in the sale of * * * beer, light wines or wines, whether at retail or otherwise. He shall also cause a record to be kept of all beer, light wines and wines (and of the amount thereof) brewed or manufactured by each brewery or winery, and of all * * * beer, light wine or wine (and of the amount thereof) sold by each brewery or winery, with the names and business addresses of the purchasers, and of all * * * beer, light wine or wine (and of the amount thereof) sold by every dealer other than a brewer or manufacturer, and in the case of sales by dealers other than retail dealers, of the names and business addresses of the purchasers.

The commissioner shall cause a record to be kept of all expenses incurred in the collection of the data.

SECTION 23. Section 67-3-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-65. Municipalities may enforce such proper rules and regulations for fixing zones and territories, prescribing hours of opening and of closing, and for * * * other measures as will promote public health, morals, and safety, as they may by ordinance provide. The board of supervisors of any county may make such rules and regulations as to territory outside of municipalities as are herein provided for municipalities.

Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the governing body of any municipality from designating what territory surrounding churches and schools in said municipalities, and the board of supervisors of any county from designating what territory surrounding churches and schools outside of any municipality, in which * * * beer, light wines and wines shall not be sold or consumed.

SECTION 24. Section 67-3-67, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-67. No county or any officer or agent thereof, nor any other officer, agent, or person, shall interfere with or impede the passage through the county of any * * * beer, light wine or wine moving in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of Section 67-9-1 and which in transit to or from any county of this state wherein the traffic in * * * beer, light wines and wines is not prohibited, any county prohibition of such traffic to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 25. Section 67-3-70, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-70. (1) Except as otherwise provided by Section 67-3-54, any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who purchases or possesses any * * * beer, light wine or wine shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and a sentence to not more than thirty (30) days' community service.

(2) Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years who falsely states he is twenty-one (21) years of age or older or presents any document that indicates he is twenty-one (21) years of age or older for the purpose of purchasing or possessing any * * * beer, light wine or wine shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and a sentence to not more than thirty (30) days' community service.

(3) Except as otherwise provided by Section 67-3-54, any person who knowingly purchases * * * beer, light wine or wine for, or gives or makes available * * * beer, light wine or wine to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and a sentence to not more than thirty (30) days' community service.

(4) The term "community service" as used in this section shall mean work, projects or services for the benefit of the community assigned, supervised and recorded by appropriate public officials.

(5) If a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years is convicted or enters a plea of guilty of violating subsection (1) or subsection (2) of this section, the trial judge, in lieu of the penalties otherwise provided under this section, shall suspend the minor's driver's license by taking and keeping it in the custody of the court for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days. The judge so ordering the suspension shall enter upon his docket "DEFENDANT'S DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENDED FOR ____ DAYS IN LIEU OF CONVICTION" and the action by the trial judge shall not constitute a conviction. During the period that the minor's driver's license is suspended, the trial judge shall suspend the imposition of any fines or penalties that may be imposed under this section and may place the minor on probation subject to any conditions as the judge deems appropriate. If the minor violates any of the conditions of probation, then the trial judge shall return the driver's license to the minor and impose the fines, penalties, or both, that he would have otherwise imposed, and this action shall constitute a conviction.

(6) Any person who has been charged with a violation of subsections (1) or (2) of this section may, not sooner than one (1) year after the dismissal and discharge or completion of any sentence and/or payment of any fine, apply to the court for an order to expunge from all official records all recordation relating to his arrest, trial, finding or plea of guilty, and dismissal and discharge. If the court determines that the person was dismissed and the proceedings against him discharged or that the person had satisfactorily served his sentence and/or paid his fine, it shall enter such order.

SECTION 26. Section 67-3-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-3-73. (1) The Mississippi Legislature finds and declares that the consumption of intoxicating beverages, rather than the sale or serving or furnishing of such beverages, is the proximate cause of any injury, including death and property damage, inflicted by an intoxicated person upon himself or upon another person.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no holder of an alcoholic beverage, beer, light wine or wine permit, or any agent or employee of the holder, who lawfully sells or serves intoxicating beverages to a person who may lawfully purchase such intoxicating beverages, shall be liable to the person or to any other person or to the estate, or survivors of either, for any injury suffered off the licensed premises, including wrongful death and property damage, because of the intoxication of the person to whom the intoxicating beverages were sold or served.

(3) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no social host who serves or furnishes any intoxicating beverage to a person who may lawfully consume such intoxicating beverage shall be liable to the person or to any other person or to the estate, or survivors of either, for any injury suffered off the social host's premises, including wrongful death and property damage, because of the intoxication of the person to whom the intoxicating beverages were served or furnished. No social host who owns, leases or otherwise lawfully occupies a premises on which, in his absence and without his consent, intoxicating beverages are consumed by a person who may lawfully consume such intoxicating beverage shall be liable to the person or to any other person or to the estate, or survivors of either, for any injury suffered off the premises, including wrongful death and property damage, because of the intoxication of the person who consumed the intoxicating beverages.

(4) The limitation of liability provided by this section shall not apply to any person who causes or contributes to the consumption of alcoholic beverages by force or by falsely representing that a beverage contains no alcohol, or to any holder of an alcoholic beverage, beer, light wine, or wine permit, or any agent or employee of the holder when it is shown that the person making a purchase of an alcoholic beverage was at the time of the purchase visibly intoxicated.

SECTION 27. 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 and 67-3-70; * * * however, * * * the provisions prohibiting the sale of * * * beer, light wine or wine 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine 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 the violation.

(b) Upon receipt of a 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 the permit holder or by hand delivery of the complaint or information to the primary business office of the 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 the violation, Sundays and holidays excluded, if the business sells * * * beer, light wine or wine for on-premises consumption; and

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

(3) The provisions of this section shall be repealed on July 1, 2005.

SECTION 28. Section 67-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine * * * as defined in Section 63-3-3 * * *. The words "alcoholic beverage" shall not include ethyl alcohol manufactured or distilled solely for fuel purposes.

(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 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 the 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) "Commission" means the State Tax Commission 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 hereafter means the powers and duties of the State Tax Commission with reference to supervision of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

(j) "Division" means the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State Tax Commission.

(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 commission, 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 * * * 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 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 * * * food such as sandwiches and salads only shall not be deemed in compliance with this requirement. No place shall qualify as a restaurant under this chapter unless twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the revenue derived from the 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.

(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 commission 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 commission, 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 commission 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 commission.

(i) The commission 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 the 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 commission; however, the declaration may only be initiated in a written request for resort area status made to the commission 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 the 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; and

2. The clubhouse and associated golf course where the golf course is 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.

The status of these clubhouses and golf courses as qualified resort areas does not require any declaration of same by the commission.

* * *

(p) "Native winery" means any place or establishment within the State of Mississippi where native wine is produced in whole or in part for sale.

(q) "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, the 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.

SECTION 29. Section 67-1-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-7. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 67-9-1 for the transportation and possession of limited amounts of alcoholic beverages for the use of an alcohol processing permittee, and subject to all of the provisions and restrictions contained in this chapter, the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession and transportation of alcoholic beverages shall be lawful, subject to the restrictions hereinafter imposed, in those counties and municipalities of this state in which, at a local option election called and held for that purpose under the provisions of this chapter, a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election shall vote in favor thereof. The manufacture, sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages shall not be permissible or lawful in counties except in (a) incorporated municipalities located within such counties, (b) qualified resort areas within such counties approved as such by the State Tax Commission, or (c) clubs within such counties, whether within a municipality or not. * * *

(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, within any state park or any state park facility which has been declared a qualified resort area by the commission and any clubhouse or golf course that is a qualified resort area under Section 67-1-5(o)(iii), an on-premises retailer's permit may be issued for the clubhouse and the permittee may lawfully sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on his licensed premises regardless of whether or not the county or municipality in which the park or clubhouse is located has voted in favor of coming out from under the dry law, and it shall be lawful to receive, store, sell, possess and consume alcoholic beverages on the licensed premises, and to sell, distribute and transport alcoholic beverages to the licensed premises.

SECTION 30. Section 67-1-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-9. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture, distill, brew, sell, possess, import into this state, export from the state, transport, distribute, warehouse, store, solicit, take order for, bottle, rectify, blend, treat, mix or process any alcoholic beverage except as authorized in this chapter. However, nothing contained herein shall prevent importers * * * and distillers of alcoholic beverages from storing * * * alcoholic beverages in private bonded warehouses located within the State of Mississippi for the ultimate use and benefit of the State Tax Commission as provided in Section 67-1-41. The commission is hereby authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the establishment of * * * private bonded warehouses and for the control of alcoholic beverages stored in these warehouses. Additionally, nothing herein contained shall prevent any duly licensed practicing physician or dentist from possessing or using alcoholic liquor in the strict practice of his profession, or prevent any hospital or other institution caring for sick and diseased persons, from possessing and using alcoholic liquor for the treatment of bona fide patients of such hospital or other institution. Any drugstore employing a licensed pharmacist may possess and use alcoholic liquors in the combination of prescriptions of duly licensed physicians. * * *

(2) Any person, upon conviction of any provision of this section, shall be punished as follows:

(a) By a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than one (1) week nor more than three (3) months, or both, for the first conviction under this section.

(b) By a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than sixty (60) days, nor more than six (6) months, or both fine and imprisonment, for the second conviction for violating this section.

(c) By a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year, nor more than five (5) years, or both fine and imprisonment, for conviction the third time under this section for the violation thereof after having been twice convicted of its violation.

SECTION 31. Section 67-1-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-13. * * * When this chapter has been made effective and operative in any county as a result of an election called and held as provided in Section 67-1-11, the same may be made ineffective and inapplicable therein by an election called and held upon a petition filed with the board of supervisors requesting same signed by at least twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever number is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the county as is otherwise provided in Section 67-1-11, all of the provisions of which shall be fully applicable thereto. However, nothing herein shall authorize or permit the calling and holding of any election under this chapter in any county more often than once every two (2) years. If in the election, a majority of the qualified electors participating therein shall vote against the legalized sale of intoxicating liquor, then the prohibition laws of the State of Mississippi, except as otherwise provided under Sections 67-9-1 and 67-1-7(2), shall become applicable in said county.

* * *

SECTION 32. Section 67-1-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

[Until July 1, 2005, this section will read as follows:]

67-1-37. 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 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 * * * 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, the 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 allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school or college, and no alcoholic beverage shall be for sale or consumed at any public athletic event at any grammar or high school or any college.

(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 the 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 the 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 adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for suspension or revocation of identification cards of employees of permittees for violations of the alcoholic beverage control laws, rules or regulations.

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

[From and after July 1, 2005, this section will read as follows:]

67-1-37. 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:

(b) To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, * * * 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 * * * 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.

(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.

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

(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.

SECTION 33. Section 67-1-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-41. (1) The State Tax Commission is hereby created a wholesale distributor and seller of alcoholic beverages, not including beer, light wine or wine, as defined in Section 67-3-3, within the State of Mississippi. It is granted the sole right to import and sell such intoxicating liquors at wholesale within the state, and no person who is granted the right to sell, distribute or receive such liquors at retail shall purchase any such intoxicating liquors from any source other than the commission except as authorized in subsections (4) and (9) of this section * * *. The commission may establish warehouses, purchase intoxicating liquors in * * * quantities and from * * * sources as it may deem desirable and sell the same to authorized permittees within the state including, at the discretion of the commission, any retail distributors operating within any military post or qualified resort areas within the boundaries of the state, keeping a correct and accurate record of all * * * transactions and exercising * * * control over the distribution of alcoholic beverages as seem right and proper in keeping with the provisions or purposes of this chapter.

The commission is empowered to borrow * * * working capital as may be required, not to exceed the sum of Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($900,000.00). The loan shall be repaid from the earnings of the wholesale liquor business.

The commission is hereby authorized to use and to promulgate rules for the affixing of identification stamps to each container of alcoholic liquor.

(2) No person for the purpose of sale shall manufacture, distill, brew, sell, possess, export, transport, distribute, warehouse, store, solicit, take orders for, bottle, rectify, blend, treat, mix or process any alcoholic beverage except in accordance with authority granted under this chapter, or as otherwise provided by law for native wines.

(3) No alcoholic beverage intended for sale or resale shall be imported, shipped or brought into this state for delivery to any person other than as provided in this chapter * * *.

(4) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations which authorize on-premises retailers to purchase limited amounts of alcoholic beverages from package retailers and for package retailers to purchase limited amounts of alcoholic beverages from other package retailers. The commission shall develop and provide forms to be completed by the on-premises retailers and the package retailers verifying the transaction. The completed forms shall be forwarded to the commission within a period of time prescribed by the commission.

(5) The commission may promulgate rules which authorize the holder of a package retailer's permit to permit individual retail purchasers of packages of alcoholic beverages to return, for exchange, credit or refund, limited amounts of original sealed and unopened packages of alcoholic beverages purchased by the individual from the package retailer.

(6) The commission shall maintain all forms to be completed by applicants necessary for licensure by the commission at all district offices of the commission.

(7) The commission may promulgate rules which authorize the manufacturer of an alcoholic beverage * * * to import, transport and furnish or give a sample of alcoholic beverages * * * to the holders of package retailer's permits, on-premises retailer's permits * * * and temporary retailer's permits who have not previously purchased the brand of that manufacturer from the commission. For each holder of the designated permits, the manufacturer may furnish not more than five hundred (500) milliliters of any brand of alcoholic beverage and not more than three (3) liters of any brand of wine.

(8) The commission may promulgate rules disallowing open product sampling of alcoholic beverages or wines by the holders of package retailer's permits and permitting open product sampling of alcoholic beverages by the holders of on-premises retailer's permits. Permitted sample products shall be plainly identified "sample" and the actual sampling must occur in the presence of the manufacturer's representatives during the legal operating hours of on-premises retailers.

(9) The commission may promulgate rules and regulations that authorize the holder of a research permit to import and purchase limited amounts of alcoholic beverages from importers * * * and distillers of alcoholic beverages or from the commission. The commission shall develop and provide forms to be completed by the research permittee verifying each transaction. The completed forms shall be forwarded to the commission within a period of time prescribed by the commission. The records and inventory of alcoholic beverages shall be open to inspection at any time by the Director of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division or any duly authorized agent.

SECTION 34. Section 67-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-43. Any authorized retail distributor who shall purchase or receive alcoholic beverages from any source except from the commission, unless authorized by rules and regulations of the commission promulgated under subsection (4) of Section 67-1-41, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), nor more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), to which may be added imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months. Any authorization of a person to sell intoxicating beverages may be revoked as provided by law.

* * *

SECTION 35. Section 67-1-45, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-45. No manufacturer, rectifier, or distiller of intoxicating liquor shall sell or attempt to sell any * * * intoxicating liquor, except beer, light wine or wine, within the State of Mississippi, except to the commission, or to the holder of a research permit as provided in Section 67-1-41. * * *

Any violation of this section by any manufacturer, rectifier, or distiller shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and not more than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), to which may be added imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six (6) months.

SECTION 36. 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 * * * 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.

* * *

(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, * * * 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 * * * for consumption on the licensed premises only. This 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 the 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 * * * alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted while the 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. This 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 the permit otherwise than through a permit issued to a wholesaler or manufacturer in the state.

* * *

(e) Temporary retailer's permit. A temporary retailer's permit shall permit the purchase and resale of alcoholic beverages * * * 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 * * * 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.

(f) 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 the person in conjunction with the catering business. No person shall qualify as a caterer unless forty percent (40%) or more of the revenue derived from the catering business shall be from the serving of prepared food and not from the sale of alcoholic beverages and unless the person has obtained a permit for the 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. 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. 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 (f), and the permittee and employees at the location shall each have personal identification cards 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.

(g) Research Permit. A research permit shall authorize the holder thereof to operate a research facility for the professional research of alcoholic beverages. This permit shall authorize the holder of the permit to import and purchase limited amounts of alcoholic beverages from the commission or from importers * * * and distillers of alcoholic beverages for professional research.

(h) 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.

(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, the 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. The 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 the 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 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 the person's spouse, if living in the same household of the person, any relative of the person, if living in the same household of the person, or any other person living in the same household with the person own any interest in any other package retailer's permit.

SECTION 37. Section 67-1-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-73. Every manufacturer, * * * within or without the state, and every other shipper of alcoholic beverages who sells any alcoholic beverage, * * * within the state, shall, at the time of making the sale, file with the commission a copy of the invoice of the sale showing in detail the kind of alcoholic beverage sold, the quantities of each, the size of the container and the weight of the contents, the alcoholic content, and the name and address of the person to whom sold.

Every person transporting alcoholic beverages * * * within this state to a point within this state, whether the transportation originates within or without this state, shall, within five (5) days after delivery of the shipment, furnish the commission a copy of the bill of lading or receipt, showing the name or consignor or consignee, date, place received, destination, and quantity of alcoholic beverages delivered. Upon failure to comply with the provisions of this section, the person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each offense.

SECTION 38. Section 67-1-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-77. (1) It shall be unlawful for the holder of a manufacturer's or wholesaler's permit, or anyone connected with the business of the holder, or for any other distiller, * * * brewer, rectifier, blender, or bottler, to have any financial interest in any premises upon which any alcoholic beverage is sold at retail by any permittee, or in the business conducted by the permittee; * * * however, the holder of a manufacturer's or wholesaler's permit may contract for the service of a representative in the area of governmental affairs on a part-time basis with a holder of an on-premises permit.

(2) It shall also be unlawful for any * * * person, or anyone connected with his, its, or their business to lend any money or make any gift or offer any gratuity, to any retail permittee, except as authorized by regulations of the commission, to the holder of any retail permit issued under the provisions of this chapter. Except as above provided, no retail permittee shall accept, receive, or make use of any money or gift furnished by any such person, or become indebted to such person except for the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

(3) The commission shall not prohibit the furnishing of advertising specialties, printed materials, or other things having nominal value to a retail permittee. This section shall not be construed to prohibit the possession by any person of advertising specialties, printed materials, or other things having nominal value furnished by a retail permittee.

(4) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or by imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or by both * * *, in the discretion of the court.

SECTION 39. Section 67-5-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-5-5. For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the definitions ascribed herein, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Native wine" shall mean 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 commission shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to permit a producer to import * * * 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. In order to be classified as "native wine" under the provisions of this chapter, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the finished product by volume shall have been obtained from fermentation of grapes, fruits, berries, honey or vegetables grown and produced in Mississippi.

(b) "Native winery" shall mean any place or establishment within this state where native wine is produced in whole or in part for sale.

(d) "Person" shall mean one or more natural persons, or a corporation, partnership or association.

(e) "Producer" shall mean any person who owns, operates or conducts a native winery, but it does not mean the employees of such persons.

(f) "Consumer" shall mean any person who purchases native wine for the purpose of consuming it, giving it away, or distributing it in any way other than by sale, barter or exchange.

(g) "Commission" shall mean the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

* * *

SECTION 40. Section 67-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-5-9. (1) Every native winery in the State of Mississippi shall apply for a permit as provided for in Section 67-3-17, and shall be issued said initial and renewal permit by the commission upon meeting the qualifications and requirements presently set forth by law or regulation for permits authorized by law.

(2) Every native winery shall register with the Secretary of State, shall show the location and permit number of said winery, shall show the name and address of the producer owning, conducting or operating the winery, shall show the name and address of all local agents and such other pertinent information which may be required by the Secretary of State, and shall appoint an agent for service of process within the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 41. Section 67-5-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-5-11. (1) Every native winery is authorized to make sales * * * directly to consumers, to beer, light wine or wine permittees * * *, and to any producer, manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer or consumer located outside the State of Mississippi.

(2) Every person * * * who possesses a valid permit for the sale of beer, light wine or wine shall be entitled, without any additional permit or fee, to sell native wines and to purchase native wines directly from the producers thereof.

SECTION 42. Section 67-5-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-5-13. (1) Upon every producer holding a permit for the production of native wine, there is hereby levied and imposed for each location for the privilege of engaging and continuing in this state in the production of native wine an annual privilege license tax in an amount equal to Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each ten thousand (10,000) gallons, or any part thereof, of native wine produced by the winery.

(2) There is hereby levied and assessed an excise tax upon each case of native wine sold by a producer to any source to be collected from the producer in the amount provided for in Section 27-71-307. However, native wine produced in Mississippi for export and sale without this state shall not be subject to said excise tax, nor shall the tax accrue or be collected on native wines dispensed, as free samples in quantities of not more than six (6) ounces, in the tasting room of a native winery.

(3) The privilege tax imposed by subsection (1) of this section shall be collected in the same manner as presently provided by law for the collection of beer, light wine and wine taxes. The excise tax imposed by subsection (2) of this section shall be reported monthly by the producer to the commission on all sales made in Mississippi to the commission, retailers, consumers or any alcoholic beverage permittee of the commission, along with a statement of gallonage produced during that month, and the producer shall remit the tax due and owing with each report. The producer shall also include in the report a statement of gallonage sold and exported for sale outside this state.

(4) All taxes levied by and collected under this section shall be deposited in the General Fund.

SECTION 43. 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 the 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) Package retailer's permit, each........ $ 900.00

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

(d) On-premises retailer's permit for wine of more than four percent (4%) alcohol by volume, but not more than twenty-one percent (21%) alcohol by volume, 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

(e) 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

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

(g) 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

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

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

(j) 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

(k) (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

(l) Research permit........................ $ 100.00

(m) Filing fee for each application for an employee identification card $ 5.00

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 such 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 the 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 taxes herein imposed 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 * * * (c), (d), (j) or (k) 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, holder of an employee identification card 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, the 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 herein, 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 * * *, 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 said establishment and at the entrances thereto a sign containing the following language: NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ALLOWED.

SECTION 44. Section 27-71-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-7. (1) There is hereby levied and assessed an excise tax upon each case of alcoholic beverages sold by the commission to be collected from each retail licensee at the time of sale in the amount of Two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($2.50) per gallon.

* * *

(2) (a) In addition to the tax levied by subsection (1) of this section, and in addition to any other markup collected, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall collect a markup of three percent (3%) on all alcoholic beverages, as defined in Section 67-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, which are sold by the division. The proceeds of the markup shall be collected by the division from each purchaser at the time of purchase.

(b) Until June 30, 1987, the revenue derived from this three percent (3%) markup shall be deposited by the division in the State Treasury to the credit of the "Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation Fund," a special fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury, and shall be used by the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse of the State Department of Mental Health and public or private centers or organizations solely for funding of treatment and rehabilitation programs for alcoholics and alcohol abusers which are sponsored by the division or public or private centers or organizations in * * * amounts as the Legislature may appropriate to the division for use by the division or public or private centers or organizations for the programs. Any tax revenue in the fund which is not encumbered at the end of the fiscal year shall lapse to the General Fund. It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Department of Mental Health shall continue to seek funds from other sources and shall use the funds appropriated for the purposes of this section and Section 27-71-29 to match all federal funds which may be available for alcoholism treatment and rehabilitation.

From and after July 1, 1987, the revenue derived from this three percent (3%) markup shall be deposited by the division in the State Treasury to the credit of the "Mental Health Programs Fund," a special fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury and shall be used by the State Department of Mental Health for the service programs of the department. Any revenue in the "Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation Fund" which is not encumbered at the end of Fiscal Year 1987 shall be deposited to the credit of the "Mental Health Programs Fund."

SECTION 45. Section 27-71-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-21. Before any person shall engage in the business of manufacturing or retailing of alcoholic beverages, he may be required to enter into a bond payable to the State of Mississippi, conditioned that he will conduct said business strictly in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi, and that he will comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by the commission, and pay all taxes due the State of Mississippi. The amount of a bond required of a manufacturer * * * shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), and the amount required of a retailer shall be Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). Provided, however, any retailer whose check for purchase of merchandise or payment of taxes shall be dishonored may be required by the commission to post additional bond not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The bond shall be made in a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi and shall be approved by the commission. The commission shall be authorized to institute suit in the proper court for any violation of the condition of the bonds. * * * As an alternative to entering into a bond as required by this section, any person who shall engage in the business of manufacturing or retailing alcoholic beverages may, subject to the same conditions of conduct required for bonds, deposit with the State Treasurer the equivalent amount of the bond required for that particular person in cash or securities. The only securities allowable for this purpose are those which may legally be purchased by a bank or for trust funds, having a market value not less than that of the required bond. The commission shall file notice with the State Treasurer for any violation of the conditions of the cash or security deposit.

SECTION 46. 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 wine or wine * * * 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine, 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine 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 * * * light * * * beer, light wine or wine for money, or giving away or distributing any such light wines or beer for anything of value.

(h) " * * * Beer, light wine or wine" means beer, light wines and wine 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, * * * beer, light wine or wine, as defined in Chapter 3 of Title 67, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of distributing or otherwise disposing of such * * * beer, light wine or wine 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, shall mean 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, shall mean 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 the term in Section 67-33-22.

SECTION 47. 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

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

(d) Brewpubs--for each place of

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

(e) Native wine manufacturers per 10,000 gallons or part thereof produced $ 10.00

Upon each person operating an airline, bus, boat or railroad car 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 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 48. 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 * * * beer, light wine or wine equivalent to Forty-two and Sixty-eight One-hundredths Cents (42.68¢) per gallon upon all light wines and beer acquired for sale or distribution in this state, One Dollar ($1.00) per gallon on sparkling wine and champagne and Thirty-five Cents (35¢) per gallon upon all other wines, including native wines. The excise or privilege tax is also imposed at the same rate upon each gallon of light wine or beer manufactured by brewpubs, each of which shall accurately and reliably measure the quantity of light wine 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 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 State Tax Commission monthly on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the beer, light wine or wine was manufactured or received in this state. Monthly report forms shall be furnished by the commissioner to the wholesalers, distributors and brewpubs.

(c) Provided that persons operating a railroad dining car, club car or other car in interstate commerce upon which light wines 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 * * * records of the sales of * * * beer, light wines and wines in this state as the commissioner shall prescribe and shall submit monthly reports of the 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 the 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, wine or malt cooler bottle, can or other light wine, wine 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 wine or wine may not import beer, light wine or wine from any source other than a brewer or importer authorized by the commissioner to sell such beer, light wine or 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 * * *, in the discretion of the court and shall be subject to license forfeiture following an appropriate hearing before the State Tax Commission.

(3) The wholesaler or distributor shall be allowed credit for tax paid on beer, light wine or wine which is no longer marketable and which is destroyed by same when the 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 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 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 wine or 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 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 49. Section 27-71-311, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-311. Before any person shall engage in the business of manufacturing * * * beer, light wines, wines or native wines, in the business of wholesaler or distributor of * * * beer, light wines or wines, or in the business of a brewpub, he shall be required to enter into a good and sufficient bond. The bond shall be made payable to the State of Mississippi, in a sum of not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), the amount to be determined by the commission. The bond of a wholesaler, distributor or brewpub shall not exceed the amount of excise tax estimated to be owed by the wholesaler, distributor or brewpub for any sixty-day period. The bond shall be conditioned that he will conduct his business strictly in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi, and that he will comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner, and pay the taxes imposed under the provisions of this article for the privilege of engaging or continuing in * * * business. The bond shall be made in a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi, and shall be approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall be authorized to institute suit in the proper court on said bond for any violation of the conditions of the bond.

SECTION 50. Section 27-71-315, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-315. Except as otherwise provided in Section 67-9-1 for the transportation of limited amounts of alcoholic beverages for the use of an alcohol processing permittee, it shall be unlawful for any person to transport from any point outside of this state to any point within this state, any * * * beer, light wines or wines except for delivery to a licensed wholesaler or distributor in this state; and except by common carrier. The commissioner may, however, upon application of a licensed wholesaler or distributor in this state, and under rules and regulations duly promulgated by him, issue a permit for the transportation by a licensed wholesaler or distributor of * * * beer, light wines or wines in trucks owned by such licensee, from without the state to the place of business of such licensee within the state, for distribution by said licensee. Such permit shall be granted for a specified period, not to exceed one (1) year.

Any person engaged in transporting any * * * beer, light wines or wines from any point outside of this state to any point within this state, shall have in his possession during the entire time he is engaged in transporting such * * * beer, light wines or wines, an invoice, bill of sale, or bill of lading, showing the true name and address of the consignor, and also the true name and address of the licensed wholesaler or distributor to whom such * * * beer, light wines or wines is to be delivered, and the quantity of such * * * beer, light wines or wines unless such common carrier maintains a permanent office within this state where complete records of all * * * beer, light wines or wines transported from without this state to points within this state are kept, and open to inspection by the commissioner or his duly authorized agent, at all reasonable times.

It is hereby made the duty of all common carriers, and licensed wholesalers and distributors, transporting * * * beer, light wines or wines from without the State of Mississippi into the State of Mississippi, to furnish the commissioner on or before the fifteenth day of each month, a report showing the amount of beer transported within the state during the preceding month, the consignor, the consignee, and the quantity of * * * beer, light wines or wines so transported.

SECTION 51. Section 27-71-317, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-317. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport from any point within this state to another point within this state, any * * * beer, light wines or wines, on which the tax imposed in Section 27-71-307 of this article has not been paid, except for immediate delivery to a licensed wholesaler or distributor in this state. * * * Any person engaged in transporting any * * * beer, light wines or wines, on which the tax imposed in Section 27-71-307 of this article has not been paid, from any point within this state to another point within this state, shall have in his possession during the entire time he is engaged in transporting * * * beer, light wines or wines, an invoice, bill of sale, or bill of lading showing the true name and address of the consignor, and also the true name and address of the licensed wholesaler or distributor to whom the * * * beer, light wines or wines is to be delivered and the quantity of the * * * beer, light wines or wines.

SECTION 52. Section 27-71-325, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-325. It shall be the duty of every wholesaler or distributor of * * * beer, light wines or wines licensed under the provisions of Section 67-3-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, to file with the commissioner, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, a report covering all sales of * * * beer, light wines or wines during the preceding month. The report shall show the names and post-office addresses of all persons to whom the light wines or beer have been sold or delivered and the quantities and invoice prices of the * * * beer, light wines or wines thus sold or delivered.

It shall be the duty of each retail dealer in * * * beer, light wines or wines to procure from the distributor or wholesaler from whom the * * * beer, light wines or wines were purchased or acquired, invoices showing the quantity of the * * * beer, light wines or wines purchased or acquired, and the date of each delivery thereof. The invoices shall be preserved by the retailer and shall be open for inspection by the commissioner or his duly authorized agent for a period of two (2) years. It shall likewise be the duty of the retail dealer to file with the commissioner, on or before the fifteenth day of each calendar month, a report showing all purchases of * * * beer, light wines or wines made by him during the preceding month. The report shall disclose the names and addresses of all persons from whom the * * * beer, light wines or wines have been purchased or received by him during the preceding month and the quantities thus purchased or received.

SECTION 53. Section 27-71-327, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-327. Any person engaged in the business of manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer of * * * beer, light wines or wines and any brewpub shall keep such additional records and make such additional reports with respect to the manufacture, receipt, distribution and sale of * * * beer, light wines or wines as the commissioner may require. It shall be the duty of the commissioner to prescribe and promulgate uniform rules and regulations for keeping the records and making the reports.

SECTION 54. Section 27-71-333, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-333. Whenever it shall be determined by the commissioner that any wholesaler or distributor having in his possession, or engaging in the sale or distribution of * * * beer, light wines or wines, has failed to pay the tax, as provided herein, the commissioner shall compute the correct amount of tax due and unpaid and shall notify the taxpayer of the amount as being actually due and unpaid, and penalties, and interest and shall state in what manner this article is violated. The taxpayer so notified shall be given a period of ten (10) days in which to make objection and show cause why the additional tax, and penalties, and interest, should not be paid. On petition of the taxpayer, a hearing before the commissioner shall be granted, a final decision thereon shall be rendered, and the taxpayer notified as early as practicable. Any tax or deficiency in tax shall be assessed and paid, together with penalties and interest, if any, applicable thereto, within ten (10) days after notice and demand by the commissioner.

If no objection be made to the finding of the commissioner, and no hearing be had before the commissioner within the time herein specified, the findings of the commissioner shall be final. If a hearing be had, and the amount of tax due and unpaid be determined, notice of the amount of the tax, penalties and interest shall be mailed to the taxpayer, and, if not paid within ten (10) days thereafter, the commissioner shall forthwith issue a warrant under official seal directed to the sheriff of any county of the state commanding him to levy upon and sell the real and personal property of the person owing the tax, found within his county, for the payment of the amount thereof, with added damages, interest and cost of executing the warrant, and to return the warrant to the commissioner and pay to him money collected by virtue thereof by a time to be therein specified not more than sixty (60) days from the date of the warrant. The sheriff shall, within five (5) days after the receipt of the warrant, file with the circuit clerk of his county a copy thereof, and thereupon the circuit clerk shall enter in the judgment roll, in the column for judgment debtors, the name of the taxpayer mentioned in the warrant, and in appropriate columns, the amount of the tax, or portion thereof and damages for which the warrant is issued, and the date when the copy is filed; and thereupon the amount of the warrant or warrants so docketed shall become a lien upon the title to and interest in the real and personal property, including choses in action, of the person against whom it is issued in the same manner as a judgment duly enrolled in the office of the circuit clerk. The sheriff thereupon shall proceed upon the same in all respects, with like effect, and in the same manner prescribed by law in respect to executions issued against property upon judgment or attachment proceedings of a court of record; and he shall be entitled to the same fee for his service in executing the warrant as now allowed by law for like service, to be collected in the same manner as provided by law for like service.

SECTION 55. Section 27-71-335, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-335. Any beer found at any point within this state which has been in the possession of any wholesaler or distributor for a period of more than forty-eight (48) hours and any * * * beer, light wines or wines transported into this state from a point outside this state, or from point to point within this state in violation of the provisions of this article, or any * * * beer, light wines or wines held or possessed by any person within this state on which the legal and proper tax has not been paid when due, whether a person be a wholesaler, retailer or distributor, or individual, and whether the beer, light wine or wine be for sale or storage or individual use, except beer in possession of a licensed wholesaler or distributor for a period of time less than forty-eight (48) hours after receipt of same within this state, and light wines or beer held in storage by licensed manufacturers or producers, are hereby declared to be contraband goods, and there is hereby imposed and assessed, as tax and penalty, to be collected by the commissioner, an amount equal to the amount of the excise tax otherwise imposed under the Mississippi Wine and Beer Tax Law, plus a penalty of one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of the tax; or, at the option of the commissioner, the same may be seized by the commissioner or his agents or any sheriff, or other lawful officer, and shall be dealt with in the following manner, to wit:

The officer seizing said light wines or beer shall immediately make complaint under oath before the proper justice court judge, stating the facts connected with said seizure by him, giving the name or names of the person or persons found in possession or control of the * * * beer, light wines or wines, and giving the name of the owner of the * * * beer, light wines or wines, if the same be known to him, whereupon the said justice court judge shall summon into his court all interested parties, and may issue a writ of seizure, if said property or any part of it is not in the possession of the officer seizing same, for the seizure of * * * the beer, light wines or wines and the summoning of the interested parties into court, as in proceedings for the enforcement of purchase money security interests in the property. If any person claims that the * * * beer, light wines or wines were unlawfully seized or that the tax thereon had been paid prior to the seizure, he may file his claim therefor under oath, stating in detail why * * * the beer, light wines or wines or any of it so seized should not be confiscated, and said affidavit shall state the market value of the property so claimed by him, which amount as so fixed shall determine the jurisdiction of the court as to the amount involved or the value of the property.

If the affidavit fixes the value of the property at Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) or less, the said justice court judge shall finally dispose of the issue in the case joined under his direction, but if the affidavit fixes the value of the property at more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), the justice court judge before whom the case is returnable shall forthwith present said case to the circuit court of the county or county court having jurisdiction to try the case, where the issue shall, under the direction of the circuit court, or county court, be joined between the State of Mississippi and the said claimant, and the case there tried as in other cases. If no claim be interposed by any party in interest on or before the return day of the summons and writ of seizure, the justice court judge on the return day shall hear the cause, and dispose of the property, and may order the * * * beer, light wines or wines to be destroyed. In the event the property is claimed by any party in interest and issue joined in any court having jurisdiction of the case, the court trying the case shall have the rights of the state and the claimant determined in a trial according to the rules of procedure for the court, and if it be determined that any property involved in said trial was kept or possessed in violation of any provisions of this article or that any tax due thereon had not been paid prior to the seizure of the property, it shall be ordered destroyed. Any person so owning or possessing such * * * beer, light wine or wine shall be guilty of misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or be sentenced to serve a period in the county jail of not more than six (6) months, or both in the discretion of the court. However, in all such trials and proceedings as provided for in this section the claimant may, before he shall file his claim, be required to execute a solvent bond in sufficient amount to cover all costs that may likely accrue, conditioned that he will pay all costs of the case that may be adjudged against him, and in the event the claimant fails to establish his claim or any part of it to said property, it may be taxed for all, or any part of the costs of the case, and judgment shall go against his sureties for all costs adjudged against him.

SECTION 56. Section 27-71-345, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-71-345. Any municipality, in which any business licensed under the provisions of Section 67-3-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, may be carried on, shall have the right to impose upon persons engaged in the business an annual privilege tax of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tax imposed by Section 27-71-303 of this article, and any county, in which any business licensed under the provisions of Section 67-3-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, may be carried on outside of the territory taxed by municipalities, shall have the right to impose upon persons engaged in the business an annual privilege tax of not more than fifty percent (50%) of the tax imposed by Section 27-71-303 of this article; * * * however, * * * no person engaged in the business of manufacturer, brewpub, wholesaler or distributor of * * * beer, light wines or wines shall be taxed by any municipality other than that in which the warehouse or plant of the wholesaler or distributor, or the premises of the brewpub, is located, nor shall any county impose any such tax upon the manufacturer, brewpub, wholesaler or distributor of * * * beer, light wines or wines if the place of business is located within the jurisdiction of any municipality.

SECTION 57. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.